imbecile

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɪmbɪsiːl/

noun

informal
  • a stupid person.

adjective

[attributive]
  • stupid; idiotic: try not to make imbecile remarks

Derivatives

imbecilic

Pronunciation: /-ˈsɪlɪk/
adjective

imbecility

Pronunciation: /-ˈsɪlɪti/
noun (plural imbecilities)

Origin:

mid 16th century (as an adjective in the sense 'physically weak'): via French from Latin imbecillus, literally 'without a supporting staff', from in- (expressing negation) + baculum 'stick, staff'. The current sense dates from the early 19th century