▪ I. enˈfeebling, vbl. n.
[f. as prec. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. enfeeble.
| 1503–4 Act 19 Hen. VII, c. 4 Preamb., The great hurte and enfebelyng of this Realme. 1531–2 Act 23 Hen. VIII, c. 16 A great enfeblyng of the kinges saide subiectes. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. III. 567 Those Parts..which Nature hath left liable..to great enfeeblings. |
▪ II. enfeebling, ppl. a.
(ɛnˈfiːblɪŋ)
[f. enfeeble v. + -ing2.]
That enfeebles.
| 1599 Marston Sco. Villanie ii. vii. 206 Infeebling ryot. a 1661 B. Holyday Juvenal 216 Passion..does in a trice By th' ear and eie admit infeebling vice. 1838–9 Hallam Hist. Lit. II. ii. v. §85. 236 The enfeebling expletives ‘do’ and ‘did’. 1887 Spectator 1 Oct. 1300 England survives all things, even..her own enfeebling tolerances. |