flaccidity
(flækˈsɪdɪtɪ)
[f. flaccid a. + -ity. Cf. F. flaccidité.]
1. The quality or condition of being flaccid; want of stiffness or tension, limpness, looseness.
| 1676 Wiseman Surgery vi. ii. 444 There is neither Fluxion nor Pain, but Flaccidity joyned with an Insensibility. 1725 Cheyne Ess. Health vii. 173 The Viscidity of the Juices and the Flaccidity of the Fibres, would..be removed. 1800 Young in Phil. Trans. XCI. 62 The flaccidity of the eye after death. 1882 Vines Sachs' Bot. 689 So long as no actually perceptible amount of flaccidity, i.e. of withering..takes place. |
b. Of immaterial things: Want of firmness and vigour; limpness, flabbiness.
| 1778 R. Lowth Isaiah, Dissert. liii, The Prophet would express the drowsiness and flaccidity..of his countrymen. 1806–7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life ii. xvi, The flaccidity of mind with which you [etc.]. 1875 Lightfoot Comm. Col. (ed. 2) 124 A vagueness, a flaccidity, of conception betrays itself in their language. |
2. Used to render It. flaccidezza, Fr. flacherie: A disease of silkworms.
| 18.. Riley Silk-Culture 36 (Cent. Dict.) The worms are attacked by flaccidity. |