Weaken — Weak en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Weakened}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Weakening}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To make weak; to lessen the strength of; to deprive of strength; to debilitate; to enfeeble; to enervate; as, to weaken the body or the mind; to weaken the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
weaken — weak‧en [ˈwiːkən] verb 1. [intransitive, transitive] FINANCE if investments, prices, currencies etc weaken, or something weakens them, they begin to fall in value: • A combination of low US interest rates and a rising Euro will weaken the dollar … Financial and business terms
Weaken — Weak en, v. i. To become weak or weaker; to lose strength, spirit, or determination; to become less positive or resolute; as, the patient weakened; the witness weakened on cross examination. His notion weakens, his discernings are lethargied.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
weak´en|er — weak|en «WEE kuhn», transitive verb. to make weak or weaker: »You can weaken tea by adding water. –v.i. 1. to grow or become weak or weaker. 2. to take a less firm attitude; give way: »We are almost to the top of the mountain; let s not weaken… … Useful english dictionary
weak|en — «WEE kuhn», transitive verb. to make weak or weaker: »You can weaken tea by adding water. –v.i. 1. to grow or become weak or weaker. 2. to take a less firm attitude; give way: »We are almost to the top of the mountain; let s not weaken now.… … Useful english dictionary
weaken — weak|en [ˈwi:kən] v [I and T] 1.) to make someone or something less powerful or less important, or to become less powerful ≠ ↑strengthen ▪ Over the last two years the president s position has weakened. ▪ Changes in policy have weakened the power… … Dictionary of contemporary English
weaken — weak|en [ wikən ] verb ** 1. ) intransitive or transitive to make someone physically less strong and healthy, or to become less strong and healthy: Stress can weaken the immune system. She began to weaken after running for 8 miles. a ) to make a… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
weaken — 1520s, from WEAK (Cf. weak) + EN (Cf. en) (1). The earlier verb was simply weak (late 14c.). Related: Weakened; weakening … Etymology dictionary
weak — weak, feeble, frail, fragile, infirm, decrepit can mean not strong enough to bear, resist, or endure strain or pressure or to withstand difficulty, effort, or use. Weak is by far the widest in its range of application, being not only… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
weaken — [wē′kən] vt., vi. to make or become weak or weaker weakener n. SYN. WEAKEN, the most general of these words, implies a lessening of strength, power, soundness, etc. [weakened by disease, to weaken an argument ]; DEBILITATE suggests a partial or… … English World dictionary
Weak — Weak, v. t. & i. [Cf. AS. w?can. w[=a]cian. See {Weak}, a.] To make or become weak; to weaken. [R.] [1913 Webster] Never to seek weaking variety. Marston. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
