Imbecile
/ˈɪm.bə.sɪl/noun
A person who is considered foolish or lacking in intelligence.
Did you know?The term 'imbecile' originally described a person with physical weakness, derived from Latin for 'weak' or 'feeble', revealing how language has shifted from physical to mental attributes.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
imbecillis
“weak, feeble, or powerless”
Middle French
French
imbécile
“weak, unable to stand or support oneself”
17th Century
English
imbecile
“a term used to denote a person of weak intellect, initially reflecting physical incapacity”
Modern English
English
imbecile
“a derogatory term for someone perceived as foolish or lacking intelligence”
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