debilitate

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/

verb

[with object]
  • make (someone) very weak and infirm: he was severely debilitated by a stomach upset (as adjective debilitated) a debilitated patient
  • hinder, delay, or weaken: hard drugs destroy families and debilitate communities

Derivatives

debilitation

Pronunciation: /-ˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

debilitative

Pronunciation: /-tətɪv/
adjective

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Latin debilitat- 'weakened', from the verb debilitare, from debilitas (see debility)