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Where does the word "weak" come from? It comes from Old Norse veikr, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "weak" come from? It comes from Old Norse veikr, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Weak’s story begins in Old Norse: veikr meant “lacking strength.” Lacking strength or vigor. It reached English by 1300s as weak. Settled as the standard English word for lacking strength. Today, weak means lacking strength, power, or effectiveness.
- Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval veikr "lacking strength", lacking strength or vigor.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s weak "lacking physical strength or power", settled as the standard English word for lacking strength.