infirmity
(ɪnˈfɜːmɪtɪ)
[ad. L. infirmitāt-em, n. of quality f. infirm-us infirm a. (see -ity). Cf. F. infirmité (15th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), earlier enfermeté.]
The condition of being infirm.
1. Weakness or want of strength; lack of power to do something; inability. Also with pl. an instance or case of this.
| 1382 Wyclif 2 Cor. xi. 30, I shal glorie in tho thingis that ben of myn infirmyte [gloss or freelte]. Ibid. xii. 5 For sich maner thing I schal glorie: forsothe for me no thing, no but in myn infirmitees. 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 6, I durst not hastyly assente hym to, Weel knowyng myn owyn infyrmyte. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. vii. 33 Him he saw still stronger grow through strife, And him selfe weaker through infirmity. 1664–94 South Twelve Serm. II. 131 All Abortion is from Infirmity and Defect. 1796 Burke Let. Noble Ld. Wks. VIII. 7 When I could no longer hurt them, the revolutionists have trampled on my infirmity. 1880 Mem. J. Legge 131 Weaker men feel the confidence that infirmity reposes in strength. |
b. Of an argument or title: Want of validity.
| a 1614 Donne βιαθανατος (1644) 21 What infirmity soever my reasons may have, yet I have comfort in Tresmegistus Axiome. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lxii. (1739) 126 Kings..knew no such infirmity in that manner of conveyance, as is pretended. 1888 Ld. Bramwell in Law Rep., 13 App. Cases 345 They had notice of the infirmity of the title of those from whom they claimed. |
2. Physical weakness, debility, frailty, feebleness of body, resulting from some constitutional defect, disease, or (now mostly) old age.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce xx. 244 The kyngis Infermite Woxe mair & mair. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Bartholomew 20 Fulis trewit wele þat he Þame heylyt of Infyrmyte. c 1440 Gesta Rom. xi. 35 (Harl. MS.) The lawe is I-sette for hem þat ben made blinde by infirmite, or by þe will of god. 1508 Dunbar Poems iv. 3, I..am trublit now with gret seiknes, And feblit with infirmitie. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. i. v. 82 Infirmity that decaies the wise, doth euer make the better foole. 1796 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 413 If infirmity had not the trick of assuring to itself strange privileges, and having them allowed by the good-nature of others. 1838 Lytton Leila i. ii, When age and infirmity broke the iron sceptre of the king. 1871 R. Ellis Catullus lxiv. 305 To a tremor of age their gray infirmity rocking. |
† b. Unhealthiness. Obs. rare.
| 1481 Caxton Godfrey 218 Thenne deuysed the barons that they wold remeue for thynfyrmyte of the place. |
3. A special form or variety of bodily (or mental) weakness; † an illness, disease (obs.); now, esp., a failing in one or other of the faculties or senses.
| 1382 Wyclif 1 Tim. v. 23 Use a litil wyn for thi stomak, and thin ofte falling infirmytees. a 1400–50 Alexander 5581 Slike a fell infirmite was in his hors bunden..þat he for bale dies. c 1440 Gesta Rom. xx. 69 (Harl. MS.) If I myght bathe in blode of goetis, I shuld be hole of this infirmite. 1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 42 §3 The pestilence, great pockes & such other contagious infirmityes. 1656 Ridgley Pract. Physick 84 If from the Liver or the Spleen, there are signs of their Infirmities. 1712 tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 179 This gum is us'd..for several Infirmities of the Lungs. 1790 Cowper Wks. (1837) XV. 222 The voice of the Almighty can in one moment cure me of this mental infirmity. 1791 Gentl. Mag. 22/2 A gentleman, aged 50, who felt the infirmities of age at an earlier period than most do. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 372 He is a little deaf and has a similar infirmity in sight. |
† b. A noxious vegetative growth. Obs. rare.
| 1597 Gerarde Herbal i. xvii. §1. 22 The first groweth in gardens and arable grounds, as an infirmitie and plague of the fields. 1759 tr. Duhamel's Husb. i. viii. (1762) 25 Produce nothing but moss and cankerous infirmities. |
4. Weakness of character; moral weakness or frailty; inability to maintain a high moral standard or to resist natural inclinations.
| 1382 Wyclif Rom. vi. 19 The infirmite [gloss or vnstabilnesse] of ȝoure fleisch. Ibid. viii. 26 The spirit helpith oure infirmyte [gloss or vnstedefastnesse]. 1414 Brampton Penit. Ps xxi. (Percy Soc.) 9, I synne al day, for I am frele; It is mannys infirmyte. 1581 Lambarde Eiren. iv. xxi. (1588) 624 Erring by infirmitie they are not altogether unwoorthie of pardon. 1614 Bp. Hall Recoll. Treat. 1037, I see that forty daies talk with God cannot bereave a man of passionate infirmity. 1783 Burke Rep. Aff. India Wks. 1842 II. 63 Some degree of ostentation is not extremely blamable. It is human infirmity at the worst. 1873 Burton Hist. Scot. liii. V. 38 The head of the house..was a byword for infirmity of purpose. |
b. With an and pl. A weakness, flaw, defect in a person's character.
| 1382 Wyclif Heb. iv. 15 We han not a byschop, that may not..haue compassioun to oure infirmytees. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 9 b, The which cureth, releueth & heleth all defautes & spirituall infirmytees. 1637 Milton Lycidas 71 Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble mind). 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull ii. iv, I know the infirmity of our family; we are apt to play the boon companion. 1871 R. W. Dale Commandm. iii. 82 It is easy enough..to discover grave infirmities and faults in most Christian people. |