Etymology Map
Back to all words

Feeble

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means lacking physical or mental strength

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

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

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.