Infirm Meaning
/ɪnˈfɜːm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjWeak or ill, not in good health.
adjIrresolute; weak of mind or will.
Sentence Examples
Tom is old and infirm.
My father is very infirm.
The hospital provides care for elderly and infirm patients.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hospital volunteer assisted the ____ patient who was too weak to stand up alone.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The elderly man was quite ____ and needed the help of a nurse to walk around the gardens.
Word Origin & History
* The noun is from Middle English infirme, from Latin infirmus (“weak, feeble”). * The verb is from Latin īnfirmāre, from īnfirmus (“sick, weak, infirm”) + -ō.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] Here I stand your slave,
A poor, infirm, weak, and despis’d old man."
— c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
"There will be special drop-off points at all polling stations for vehicles conveying voters who are sick, infirm, or disabled."
— 2023 August 30, “Security Advisory For Polling Day”, in Singapore Police Force:
"Infirm of purpose!
Give me the daggers: […]"
— c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
"[…] vehement passion does not always indicate an infirm judgment."
— 1797, Edmund Burke, “Letter III.”, in A Third Letter to a Member of the Present Parliament, on the Proposals for Peace with the Regicide Directory of France, London: […] F[rancis] and C[harles] Rivington, […]; sold also by J[ohn] Hatchard, […], →OCLC, page 30:
"He who fixes upon false Principles, treads upon Infirm ground, and so sinks […]"
— 1692–1717, Robert South, “The Practice of Religion Enforced by Reason”, in Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London, page 3:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hospital volunteer assisted the ____ patient who was too weak to stand up alone.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The elderly man was quite ____ and needed the help of a nurse to walk around the gardens.