Weak
/wiːk/noun
Lacking physical strength or energy; feeble.
Did you know?The word 'weak' is linked to ancient concepts of being 'bent' or 'not firm', invoking the idea of fragility in both body and spirit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weg-
“to be strong or to be lively.”
Old English
Old English
wēac
“lacking strength, feeble.”
Old High German
OHG
wega
“to be weak or feeble.”
Middle English
Middle English
weik
“lacking power or force.”
Modern English
English
weak
“lacking strength, often applied to both physical and moral contexts.”