feeble

Where does the word "feeble" come from? It comes from Latin flebilis, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

Feeble’s story begins in Latin: flebilis meant “lamentable.” From 'flere', to weep. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as feble. The first l shifted, a common change in Old French. It reached English by 1100s as feeble. Used of both body and mind. Today, feeble means lacking physical or mental strength.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient flebilis "lamentable", from 'flere', to weep.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval feble "weak", the first l shifted, a common change in Old French.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1100s feeble "weak", used of both body and mind.