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Answer for the clue "The state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age) ", 9 letters:
infirmity

Word definitions for infirmity in dictionaries

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS ■ ADJECTIVE mental ▪ Steps are often taken to minimise risk where mental infirmity makes old people unreliable in their behaviour. ▪ Indeed, extensive neglect is likely to be a reflection of mental infirmity of one kind or ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 feebleness, frailty or ailment, especially due to old age. 2 a moral weakness or defect

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
late 14c., "disease, sickness; lack of capability, weakness," from Latin infirmitatem (nominative infirmitas ) "want of strength, weakness, feebleness," noun of quality from infirmus (see infirm ). Perhaps in part from Middle French infirmité , Old French ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age) [syn: frailty , debility , feebleness , frailness ]

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Infirmity \In*firm"i*ty\, n.; pl. Infirmities . [L. infirmitas : cf. F. infirmite. See Infirm , a.] The state of being infirm; feebleness; an imperfection or weakness; esp., an unsound, unhealthy, or debilitated state; a disease; a malady; as, infirmity ...

Usage examples of infirmity.

Seeing that the Capellmeister at Eisenstadt, by name Gregorius Werner, having devoted many years of true and faithful service to the princely house, is now, on account of his great age and infirmities, unfit to perform the duties incumbent on him, therefore the said Gregorious Werner, in consideration of his long services, shall retain the post of Capellmeister, and the said Joseph Heyden as Vice-Capellmeister shall, as far as regards the music of the choir, be subordinate to the Capellmeister and receive his instructions.

Thus it may happen that, by reason of bodily or mental infirmity, a father, with a family of helpless children, may be totally dependent upon the exertions of the mother and a draftable son.

Ditto his buboes, hammertoes, and other infirmities too embarrassing to mention.

If you cant understand my holier feelings, at least you know the bodily infirmities of the old.

It would be impossible for human infirmity to follow up the series of particular mutable things, both on account their multitude, surpassing all calculation, and on account of the infinitely diverse circumstances surrounding one and the same thing, any one of which may be the cause of its existence or non-existence.

And then there came a note, with a heraldic device upon the big red seal, to say that Sir Charles Ewan made his compliments to Captain Scarrow, and that he hoped to be with him in the morning as early as his duties and his infirmities would permit.

Leo also recalled that Tazewell was given to an endless litany of illnesses and infirmities.

In this pure air, with these cool and shaded forests to wander through, this lovely lake to gaze at and sail upon, with clear consciences, and abundance for all their real wants, men ought to be nothing less than as perfectly happy as their infirmities will allow.

Galileo grew old and bent under house arrest in Arcetri, prohibited by inquisitors and infirmities from leaving Il Gioiello, the priest assigned to San Matteo visited him once a month, the convent records show, presumably to hear his confession and administer the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Once he had been proclaimed the greatest hunter in the province of Nueva Esperanza, as had his father before him, and he had not retired from hunting because of age or infirmity, but because the jaguars were beautiful, and their beauty had begun to outweigh the reasons he had for killing them.

Howbeit I had no time then to rest my selfe, for the Mother of the boy, weeping and lamenting for his death, attired in mourning vesture, tare her haire and beat her breast, and came presently into the stable, saying, Is it reason that this carelesse beast should do nothing all day but hold his head in the manger, filling and belling his guts with meat without compassion of my great miserie, or remembrance of the pittiful death of his slaine Master : and contemning my age and infirmity, thinketh that I am unable to revenge his mischiefs, moreover he would perswade me, that he were not culpable.

These he equips with new names, and thus we have those terrific nomenclatures which are enough to frighten the medical student, to say nothing of the sufferers staggering under this long catalogue of local infirmities.

They are deprived one after the other of their property, assignats, furniture, and food, of daylight and lamp-light, of the assistance which their wants and infirmities demand, of a knowledge of public events, of all communication, either immediate or written, with fathers, sons and husbands.

For in this Sacrament Thou hast bestowed many good things and still bestowest them continually on Thine elect who communicate devoutly, O my God, Lifter up of my soul, Repairer of human infirmity, and Giver of all inward consolation.

Gentle reader, thou shalt not read of a fable, but rather a tragedy : This woman when her love began first to kindle in her heart, could easily resist her desire and inordinate appetite by reason of shame and feare, lest her intent should be knowne: But after it compassed and burned every part of her brest, she was compelled to yeeld unto the raging flame of Cupid, and under colour of the disease and infirmity of her body, to conceale the wound of her restlesse mind.