weak
Pronunciation: /wiːk/
adjective
- 1lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; having little physical strength or energy: she was recovering from flu, and was very weak
- lacking power or influence: the central government had grown too weak to impose order (as plural noun the weak) the new king used his powers to protect the weak
- (of a team or military force) containing too few members or members of insufficient quality: their problems arose from fielding weak teams in league matches
- (of a faculty or part of the body) not able to fulfil its functions properly: he had a weak stomach
- of a low standard; performing or performed badly: the choruses on this recording are weak
- not convincing or logically forceful: the argument is an extremely weak one a weak plot
- exerting only a small force: a weak magnetic field
- 2liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged: the salamander’s tail may be broken off at a weak spot near the base
- lacking the force of character to hold to one’s own decisions, beliefs, or principles; irresolute: he was not weak or a compromiser
- (of a belief) not held with conviction or intensity: their commitment to the project is weak
- (of prices or a market) having a downward tendency.
- 3lacking intensity or brightness: a weak light from a single street lamp
- (of a liquid or solution) heavily diluted: a cup of weak coffee
- displaying or characterized by a lack of enthusiasm or energy: she managed a weak, nervous smile
- (of features) not striking or strongly marked: his beard covered a weak chin
- (of a syllable) unstressed.

Phrases

Origin:
Old English wāc 'pliant', 'of little worth', 'not steadfast', reinforced in Middle English by Old Norse veikr, from a Germanic base meaning 'yield, give way'