Weak a. and sb. World English Historical Dictionary

Weak a. and sb. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1928, rev. 2024. Weak a. and sb. Forms: α. 3–5, 4–9 Sc., 9 dial. waik, (6 Sc. waek), 4–6 waike, wayk(e, (4 Sc. vayk, 5–6 Sc. vaik, vaike), 3–6 weik(e, weyk(e, (6 Sc. vaeik, veik). β. 4, 6 wek, 4 weck, 6 wecke; 5–6 weke, 4–7 weeke, 6–7 weake, 6– weak. [a. ON. veik-r, corresponding to OE. wác: see WOKE a.

1   The earliest known examples are in the Cursor Mundi (a. 1300, but MSS. 14th c.); the word gradually took the place of the corresponding native adj. (OE. wác, ME. WOKE) which did not survive beyond the 15th c. There seems to have been some difference of meaning between OE. wác and ON. veikr; in OE. the primary Teut. sense ‘yielding, not rigid or firm, pliant’ was still prominent, while in ON. it had developed into the sense ‘not strong.’

2   The β-forms show the same development of Scand. ei to ē which is found in BLEAK a. (earlier bleyke, ON. bleik-r), STEAK sb. (ME. steke, steyke, ON. steik; still pron. dialectally with ī), and REAN, var. of RAIN sb.2 (ON. rein).

3   In mod. dialect literature the word is often written waik or wake. Graphically, these forms belong to the α group; but in certain areas it may be doubtful whether the shade of pronunciation denoted by the spelling descends from ME. ē or from ME. ei. As the normal Sc. representative of OE. wác is wake, which in late Scottish might have been written waik, it is possible that some of the Sc. examples given below belong etymologically to WOKE a. rather than to the present word.]

4   A.  adj.

5   † 1.  Of a material thing: Pliant, flexible, readily bending. (Usually with implication of want of strength.) = WOKE a. 1. Obs.

6   The recognition of this sense by Johnson (who has been followed by later Dicts.) is remarkable; his authority has not been identified.

7 a. 1366[?].  Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 225. A mantel heng hir faste by, Upon a perche weyke and smalle [Fr. A une perche moult greslete].

8 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 520/1. Weyke, or lethy, lentus.

9 14[?].  Sir Beues, 647 (MS. M). All to lethy [MS. O weyke] the spere was wrought.

10 c. 1480.  Henryson, Age & Youth, 13. I … saw ane catyf [Age] … cumand,… walowit & wane, waik as ane wand.

11 1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lv. 22. Sum, thocht tham selffis stark, lyk gyandis, Ar now maid waek lyk willing wandis.

12 1755.  Johnson, Weak, 3. Soft; pliant; not stiff. [Whence in later Dicts.]

13   2.  Wanting in moral strength for endurance or resistance; lacking fortitude or courage, strength of purpose or will; unsteadfast, wavering.

14 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, VIII. 340. [Thai] dang on thame so hardely That in schort tyme men mycht se by At erd ane hundreth weill, and mar; The remanand the vaykar war.

15 a. 1425.  trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. 7. He, forsoþ, þat is wayke of hert is noȝt in way of curacion.

16 c. 1450.  Capgrave, St. Augustine, xxv. 34. The man was weyk and dred mech þe knyf.

17 1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 170. Peple villain and wayke in the faith.

18 1526.  Tindale, Matt. xxvi. 41. The spirite ys willynge but the flesshe is weeke.

19 c. 1540.  R. Morice, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 24. [He] being very moche combered with the concupisscence of the fleshe, and stryvyng gretely to suppresse the same, felt himself to wek to overcom it.

20 1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., IV. i. 12. Which are so weake of courage … That they’le take no offence at our abuse.

21 1667.  Milton, P. L., VIII. 532. Here onely weake Against the charm of Beauties powerful glance.

22 a. 1716.  South, Serm. (1727), VI. xi. 385. It is the just Shame … of the Frailty of our Condition to consider … how weak we are to intend, and how much weaker to perform.

23 1774.  Goldsm., Nat. Hist., V. 180. But though so furious among themselves, they [turkeys] are weak and cowardly against other animals, though far less powerful than they.

24 1779.  Cowper, Human Frailty, 1. Weak and irresolute is man. Ibid., Olney Hymns, xxix. 12. And Satan trembles, when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.

25 1889.  W. Armstrong, Wrestling (Badm. Libr.), 224. Outsiders often clamour loudly over these falls, and a weak judge is liable to be influenced.

26   absol.  1667.  Milton, P. L., VI. 909. But list’n not to his Temptations, warne Thy weaker.

27 1784.  Cowper, Task, II. 343. He ’stablishes the strong, restores the weak.

28 1901.  W. Adamson, Life Joseph Parker, xxiii. 299. Faith leads to the Rock higher than self, on which the weak can rest in safety.

29   b.  In the translations of the Bible from Tindale onward, used to render Gr. ἀσθενής, ἀσθενῶν, applied by St. Paul (esp. in Rom. xiv. and 1 Cor. viii.) to believers whose scruples, though unsound, should be treated with tenderness, lest they should be led by the example of the more enlightened into acts condemned by their conscience. Hence allusively in weaker brethren (often supposed to be a scriptural phrase), applied to the more timorous members of a party, who are in danger of being shocked by extreme statements of principle or policy.

30   In the Wycliffite and other early versions the rendering is ‘sick’ [Vulg. infirmus].

31 1526.  Tindale, 1 Cor. viii. 11. But take hede that youre libertie cause nott the weake to faule. Ibid. And so thorow thy knowledge shall the weake brother perisshe for whom christ dyed.

32 1573.  T. C[artwright], Reply to Answ. Whitgift, A iij b. That the setters forwarde of thys cause … giue occasion to the papists of slaundering the religion, and to the weake of offence.

33 1674.  B. Parry, Duppa’s Rules & Helps Devot., I. To Rdr. If Noise and Clamour might pass for Inspiration, the Apostles must go for Weak-Brethren, and mere Novices, compared with our New Lights.

34 1779.  [R. Richardson], Epist., Ded. to Bp. Lond. p. xvii. But recollecting the many Christian Injunctions in Favour of weak Brethren, you thus proceeded with your Charge.

35 1882.  Besant, All Sorts, viii. I do as little as I can … on Sunday, because of the weaker brethren. The Sunday we [sc. Seventh Day Independents] keep as a holiday.

36   c.  of actions, attributes, etc.

37 1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 1186. And left to her self, if evil thence ensue, Shee first his weak indulgence will accuse.

38 1671.  Marvell, Corr., Wks. (Grosart), II. 391. The Lord Lucas made a fervent bold speech against our prodigality in giving, and the weak looseness of the government.

39 1800.  Coleridge, Piccolom., V. v. 78. Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself.

40 1819.  Shelley, Cenci, V. iii. 22. They must have told some weak and wicked lie To flatter their tormentors.

41 1878.  H. W. Lucy, Diary Two Parl. (1885), I. 365. As he was ex-Minister and a pictorial representative of the bucolic interest, Disraeli, in a weak moment, offered him [Sclater-Booth] office again.

42   d.  Of features, expression of countenance, etc.: Indicating weakness of character or intention.

43 1877.  W. S. Gilbert, Foggerty’s Fairy (1890), 30. The nurse smiled a weak smile, as who should say, ‘Master’s joke is always so amusingly chosen.’

44 1882.  Besant, All Sorts, xxix. His forehead, when the original thatch was thick, must have been rather low and weak.

45 1897.  Kipling, Captains Courageous, x. 227. ‘What have you two men been doing now?’ she said, with a weak little smile.

46   e.  Deficient in power to control emotion; unduly swayed by grief, compassion or affection. Of tears: Indicating weakness.

47 1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ., Snuff-Box. But I am as weak as a woman; and I beg the world not to smile, but pity me.

48 1794.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xlv. ‘They are weak tears, for they are useless ones,’ replied the count, drying them.

49 1848.  Dickens, Dombey, i. It’s very weak and silly of me, I know, to be so trembly and shaky from head to foot.

50 1886.  ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ By Woman’s Wit, ii. You must have a weak spot in your heart for him, or you would never stand it.

51   3.  Wanting in strength and skill as a combatant; relatively deficient in fighting power as shown by the result of the contest.

52 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 1814. Þer was turn ageynes turn; Þat waykest [of the wrestlers] was, byhoued spurn.

53 c. 1471.  Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 276. Fayne was the waykyer away for to flee.

54 1481.  Caxton, Reynard (Arb.), 102. Yet thought the foxe I haue good auauntage, the clawes of his for feet ben of, and his feet ben yet sore therof … he shal be somwhat the weyker.

55 1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., III. ii. 62. Then if Angels fight, Weake men must fall. Ibid. (1602), Ham., V. ii. 273. Your Grace hath laide the oddes a’ th’ weaker side.

56   b.  Deficient as a fighting power in numbers, resources, etc. † Also const. of.

57 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, IV. 162. With waik power thai durst him nocht persew.

58 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, i. 55. The folke of the duke were weke and almoste gon. For, of the two hundred that he hadde broughte, he hadde noo moo wyth hym but fourthi.

59 1574.  Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1905), I. 102. The watche of this towne ys neither good nor sufficient but very weak and vnmeet for the preservacon of thys towne.

60 1592.  Soliman & Pers., III. i. 48. Their fleete is weake; Their horse, I deeme them fiftie thousand strong.

61 1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., IV. v. 7. And often but attended with weake guard.

62 1611.  W. Adams, Lett., in Rundall, Mem. Japon (Hakl. Soc.), 22. The king’s ships were out seeking vs,… vnderstanding that wee were weake of men.

63 1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, V. iii. § 21. 578. He was indeede farre too weake for the Enemie in Horse, both in number and in goodnesse.

64 1670.  Dryden, 1st Pt. Conq. Granada, V. (1672), 53. We are not provided for a siege…. The foe is strong without, we weak within.

65 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, V. xi. Having concluded, from seeing three men engaged, that two of them must be on one side, he … espoused the cause of the weaker party.

66 1784.  Cowper, Task, II. 273. Sham’d as we have been … and in our own sea prov’d Too weak for those decisive blows that once Ensur’d us mast’ry there.

67 1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., IV. xvii. 54. Each detachment of William’s great army of occupation was weak and isolated.

68 1912.  Eng. Hist. Rev., XXVII. Oct., 662. Their [French] ships, and especially that of Eustace, were encumbered with cargo, they were much weaker in large vessels, and were obliged to make for a certain objective—London.

69   † c.  transf. Weak of friends: having few influential friends. Obs.

70 1586.  T. Morgan, in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1913), Jan., 56, note. Burghley, who was weak of friends in the Privy Council, in Leicester’s absence hath made that Queen to admit of her Privy Council the Archbishop of Canterbury, [etc.].

71   d.  Of a position: Poorly garrisoned.

72 1650.  J. Nicoll, Diary (Bannatyne Club), 25. The Englische Generall, taking this very grevouslie, that such a waik hous sould hald out aganes him, [etc.].

73   e.  Chess-playing. Of a man: Insufficiently protected against capture.

74 1860.  Löwenthal, Morphy’s Games Chess, 57. The K. Kt’s P. and K’s P. are now both of them weak and the cause of much subsequent embarrassment. Ibid., 59. The Pawn … would have been left isolated and weak.

75   f.  Wanting in skill as a performer in a game, sport, athletic exercise, contest, etc. Of play, a move, stroke: Exhibiting want of skill. So, weak place, spot (in a person’s play).

76 1827.  in W. Denison, Sk. Players (1846), 57. In other points England was weak: her fielding was not near so good, her bowling was not equal, [etc.].

77 1860.  Löwenthal, Morphy’s Games Chess, 62. On principle it is weak play, as it leaves a Pawn behind unsupported. Ibid., 98. A weak move.

78 1862.  Baily’s Mag., Sept., 142. But the Surrey bowling was weak, and the men of The North scored 266 in their first innings. Ibid. (1872), Aug., 168. Mr. Grace … gave … a chance at his one weak place, short leg.

79 1891.  Grace, Cricket, ix. 248 (Bowling.) And that brings me to my last point—seek for the weak spot in the batsman’s defence.

80 1901.  Jessop, in Badminton Mag., April, 371. We [Gloucestershire] shall be even a weaker side than usual in the first two months.

81   4.  Of a person, the body, limbs: Deficient in bodily or muscular strength; esp. of a child or woman, inferior in respect of physical strength.

82 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 15033. Þe childer þat war waike To ga þat pres a-mang. Ibid., 23624. Þir [the good] sal be selcut strang and wight, þai [the wicked] sal be weck [MS. Gött. waike] wit-vten might.

83 c. 1300.  Havelok, 1012. Þider komen bothe stronge and wayke.

84 a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, xii. 5. I … sett noght by þane stirynge, na mare þan a geaunte dos at þe puttynge of a waik man.

85 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Man of Law’s T., 834. How may this wayke womman han this strengthe Hire to defende agayn this renegat.

86 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. VI. 23. Certes, ich seyde … Ich am to waik to worche with sykel oþer with sythe.

87 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, IV. xx. 144. I am the yongest and moost weykest of yow bothe.

88 1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., V. ii. 165. Why are our bodies soft, and weake, and smooth, Vnapt to toyle?

89 1628.  Milton, Vacation Exerc., 1. Hail native Language, that by sinews weak Didst move my first endeavouring tongue to speak.

90 1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., IV. v. 190. Divers continue all their life … left-handed, and have but weak and imperfect use of the right.

91 1697.  Dryden, Æneis, XI. 1044. It shall be seen, weak Woman, what you can, When Foot to Foot, you combat with a Man.

92 1709.  Pope, Ess. Crit., 197. That on weak wings, from far, pursues your flights.

93 1757.  Foote, Author, Prol. But as the sluggish animal was weak, They fear’d, if both should mount, his back would break.

94 1776.  A. Smith, W. N., V. i. II. 315. He is a very strong man who by mere strength of body can force two weak ones to obey him.

95 1821.  Shelley, Adonais, xxvii. O gentle child … Why didst thou … with weak hands though mighty heart Dare the unpastured dragon in his den?

96   b.  absol. (Cf. 10 b.)

97 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 832. Þe strang [bigan] þe weker for to sla.

98 1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 257. Oft tymes the starkare … puttis the waykar to the wer. For it is agayne nature that the waykare wan the starkare.

99 a. 1500.  Coventry Corpus Chr. Pl., ii. 447. But the weykist gothe eyuer to the walle.

100 1535–.  [see WALL sb.1 13].

101 1546.  J. Heywood, Prov., II. v. (1867), 56. And where the small with the great, can not agree, The weaker goeth to the potte, we all daie see.

102 1565.  Stapleton, trans. Bede’s Hist. Ch. Eng., 95. Thinking it a light matter to iniury, beguile or vse violence toward our wekers and inferiours.

103 1579.  T. Kendall, Flowers Epigr., Trifles, 5. The weake may stand the strong in sted: a dog may haue a day.

104 1768.  Ross, Helenore, II. 85. The weak wins ay the warr.

105   c.  The weaker vessel [cf. VESSEL sb.1 3], in 1 Pet. iii. 7 said of the wife as compared with the husband; hence occas. used jocularly for ‘the wife’ or female partner. The weaker sex: see SEX sb. 1 c.

106 1526.  Tindale, 1 Pet. iii. 7. Gevynge honoure vnto the wyfe as vnto the weaker vessel [Gr. ὠς ἀσθενεστέρῳ σκεύει].

107 1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., I. i. 276. Iaquenetta (so is the weaker vessell called) which I apprehended with the aforesaid Swaine.

108 1668.  T. St. Serfe, Tarugo’s Wiles, III. 23. B[aker’s] Wife. O! you are a fine man indeed! to leave the Government of the Oven now, when ’tis cramm’d with the English Consulls pastry, to me that’s the weaker vessel.

109   d.  of physical effort.

110 1783.  Crabbe, Village, I. 197. Alternate masters now their slave command, Urge the weak efforts of his feeble hand.

111   5.  Deficient in bodily vigor through age, sickness, privation, etc.; wanting in strength of the vital functions of the body; debilitated.

112 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 767. Bot als tyte als a man waxes alde, Þan waxes his kynde wayke and calde. Ibid., 6157. Seke I was and in ful wayke state.

113 1399.  Langl., Rich. Redeles, II. 64. Ȝoure owen lymmes … so ffeble and wayke wexe in þe hammes.

114 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, XXI. xi. 857. Thyder they came within two dayes for they were wayke & feble to goo.

115 1519.  Knaresb. Wills (Surtees), I. 8. I, John Gill, hole in mynde and wake in stomak, &c., to be buried in Pannall Chyrchyerd.

116 1524.  Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 501/1. Patrik … is now of grete aige, febill and waik in his persoun.

117 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 20. Thei hired shippes and putte the lorde Marques in one, which was so weake that he asked where he was.

118 1599.  Dallam, in Early Voy. Levant (Hakl. Soc.), 81. I was verrie wayke, not able to goo on foute one myle in a daye.

119 1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxix. 173. Till (if Nature be strong enough) it break at last the contumacy of the parts obstructed…, or (if Nature be too weak) the Patient dyeth.

120 1687.  Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., I. Tendre, tender,… of a weak constitution.

121 1780.  Selwyn, in Jesse, S. & Contemp. (1844), IV. 363. I am at present in a weaker state of health from a present disorder than I ever was.

122 1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, lxiv. You’re too weak to stand, indeed.

123 1889.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Mrs. Bob, xx. And, as is generally the case after hysteria, she is now very weak and prostrate.

124 1891.  Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, lix. Pomponia sat by the bedside, holding the weak hand.

125   Similative phrases.  1840.  [see RAT sb.1 2 c].

126 1902.  C. N. & A. M. Williamson, Lightning Conductor, 327. Poor Lady B. was as weak as a rag, but … Pa kept her up on a raw egg in wine.

127   b.  Feeble through exhaustion; faint. ? Now chiefly dial.

128 a. 1707.  Prior, Dk. Ormond’s Pict., 10. ’Till weak with Wounds,… He faints.

129 1849.  Lever, Con Cregan, i. I am getting wake; just touch my lips again with the jug.

130 1880.  Antrim & Down Gloss., Weak turn, fainting fit.

131 1905.  Brit. Med. Jrnl., 1 July, 23. He took a ‘weak turn’ and died the following day.

132 1918.  Pall Mall Gaz., 29 June, 8/1. A wound over the eye, which caused the Welshman to go so weak that the referee stopped the contest.

133   6.  Constitutionally feeble; not vigorous or robust in health.

134 1523–34.  Fitzherb., Husb., liii. 50. Of euery sort of shepe, it may fortune there be some, that like not and be weike.

135 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Edw. IV. (1550), 36. The French kyng had no heire male, but one weake boy.

136 1602.  Shaks., Ham., III. iv. 114. Conceit in weakest bodies, strongest workes.

137 1772.  Priestley, Inst. Relig. (1782), I. 218. Laws to prevent the education of weak children.

138 1774.  Goldsm., Nat. Hist., II. 201. Fontenelle … was naturally of a very weak and delicate habit of body.

139 1780.  Bentham, Introd. Morals & Legisl., vi. (1789), 43. A man may be weak all his life long, without experiencing any disease.

140   b.  of a tree, plant, fruit, etc.

141 1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 115. The weakest kinde of fruite Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.

142 1696.  W. W., New Help to Discourse (ed. 4), 224. Stake and bind up the weakest Plants, against the Winds.

143 1754.  Justice, Scots Gard. Director, 173. If your Artichokes are weak in the Spring, hill them up with rich Earth, and they will recover.

144 1768.  [J. Gibson], Fruit-Gardener, 208. Early pruning is commonly recommended for weak trees.

145 1892.  Katharine Tynan, in Speaker, 3 Sept., 290/1. They [the roses] will deteriorate year after year, returning gradually to wildness, or getting too weak to open leafy buds.

146   7.  Of bodily organs or their functions: Deficient in functional strength (either naturally or by impairment).

147   The usual collocations are the following: weak eyes, sight; weak stomach, digestion; weak chest, lungs, heart; also (later) weak nerves, which has commonly the loose sense of ‘nervousness,’ liability to be easily agitated.

148 c. 1480.  Henryson, Swallow & other Birds, 19. Hir ene ar waik, the sone scho may not se.

149 1597.  Shaks., Lover’s Compl., 214. The deepe greene Emrald in whose fresh regard, Weake sights their sickly radience do amend. Ibid. (1599), Hen. V., III. ii. 56. Their Villany goes against my weake stomacke, and therefore I must cast it vp.

150 1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., VI. 299. My weak and squeazie stomack will hardly digest the wing of a small rabbet.

151 1661.  Boyle, Style of Script. (1675), 27. Batts … are only pleased with (what is alone proportioned to their weak sight) a Twilight.

152 1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., VI. § 7. I have naturally weak eyes, and know that there are many things that I cannot see.

153 1760.  Sterne, Tr. Shandy, III. xx. Author’s Pref. With such weak nerves and spirits, and in the condition I am in at present.

154 1781.  Cowper, Truth, 98. Fancy shall apply To your weak sight her telescopic eye.

155 1822–9.  Good’s Study Med. (ed. 3), I. 210. Shell-fishes do not always agree with weak stomachs.

156 1825.  J. Denniston, Leg. Galloway, 94. His amiable lady being a woman of weak nerves.

157 187[?].  Cassell’s Nat. Hist., I. 184. One of the large Monkeys in the Zoological Gardens had weak teeth, and he used to break open the nuts with a stone.

158   8.  of the mind or mental faculties: Deficient in power.

159 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 341. But me to rede out of this drede or guye Ne may my wit, so weyke is hit, not streche.

160 c. 1400.  trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 80. But of wyn þat ys takyn abundanly … it makys wayk þe vertuz of þe sawle.

161 c. 1480.  Henryson, Swallow & other Birds, 24. Mannis saule is febill and ouer small, Of vnderstanding waik and imperfite.

162 1562.  Winȝet, Cert. Tractatis, Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 27. It apperis to my waik iugement that to attempt sic proude misordour sall [etc.].

163 1593.  Shaks., Lucr., 460. Such shadowes are the weake-brains forgeries. Ibid., 1825. Such childish humor from weake minds proceeds. Ibid. (1597), 2 Hen. IV., II. iv. 273. And such other Gamboll Faculties hee hath, that shew a weake Minde, and an able Body.

164 1642.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Walker the Ironmonger, A 2. This hath past without controlement to … the raysing of strifes … in many people of weake capacities and judgements.

165 1671.  Milton, P. R., II. 221. For Beauty stands In the admiration only of weak minds Led captive.

166 1690.  Locke, Hum. Und., II. xxiii. § 12. 140. We are furnished with Faculties (dull and weak as they are) to discover enough in the Creatures, to lead us to the Knowledge of the Creator.

167 1751.  Smollett, Per. Pic., xcviii. Lord A——m … was a man of weak intellects.

168 1781.  Cowper, Truth, 366. Earth gives too little, giving only bread, To nourish pride, or turn the weakest head.

169 1798.  Ferriar, Illustr. Sterne, etc., 8. Persons of weak understanding.

170 1857.  Buckle, Civiliz., I. vii. 446. No where are the weakest parts of the human mind more clearly seen than in the history of legislation.

171 1865.  H. Kingsley, Hillyars & Burtons, lxi. Her suspicions … were only the product of a weak brain in a morbid state.

172 1903.  [Miss E. Fowler], Betw. Trent & Ancholme, 317. A boy of weak intellect, a Natural.

173   b.  Lacking force of intellect or strength of mind; easily deceived, credulous.

174 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., xiv. Thou (sely) ȝouth, of nature Indegest,… of wit wayke and vnstable.

175 1660.  Jer. Taylor, Ductor, III. iv. 290. And that Priest were … a weak person who should chuse to wear gray, because there is no religion in the colour.

176 1665.  Glanvill, Def. Van. Dogm., 52. If any are so weak to affirm nothing can be demonstrated, against which any thing is or can be objected [etc.].

177 1736.  Butler, Anal., II. viii. Wks. 1874, I. 293. By these means weak men are often deceived by others.

178 1759.  Robertson, Hist. Scot., III. Wks. 1851, I. 217. Though Elizabeth was as much inferior to Mary in beauty and gracefulness of person as she excelled her in political abilities…, she was weak enough to compare herself with the Scottish queen.

179 1781.  Cowper, Conversat., 225. Credulous infancy, or age as weak, Are fittest auditors for such to seek.

180 1842.  Newman, Eccl. Miracles (1843), 127. It can mean nothing else but that St. Gregory did no miracles, and that it is weak, nay, even heathenish, to believe he did.

181 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., viii. II. 295. He … was everywhere received with outward signs of joy and respect, which he was weak enough to consider as proofs that the discontent … had subsided.

182 1885.  ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ Valerie’s Fate, ii. Do you think I should be so weak and stupid as to fall in love with a man … I know nothing about?

183   absol.  1784.  Cowper, Task, II. 566. The weak perhaps are mov’d, but are not taught, While prejudice in men of stronger minds Takes deeper root.

184   c.  Feeble (in one’s intellect, the brain, head, etc.).

185 a. 1661.  Fuller, Worthies, Warwicksh. (1662), 119. Hence was it that the Earl was kept in so strict Restraint, which made him very weak in his Intellectuals.

186 1831.  Scott, Cast. Dang., ii. Shrewd and wise men wax weak in the brain in these troublous times.

187 1853.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., xxi. Until Mr. Smallweed’s grandmother, now living, became weak in her intellect.

188   9.  Inefficient, ill-qualified. a. Of a person’s abilities, productions, qualities, etc. (Often used in modesty or self-disparagement.)

189 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prioress’ T., 29. My konnyng is so wayk, o blisful queene, For to declare thy grete worthynesse That [etc.].

190 c. 1450.  Holland, Houlate, 37. And I haue mekle matir in metir to gloss … And waike is my eloquence.

191 c. 1590.  J. Stewart, Poems (S.T.S.), II. 6. My vaeik and friuole versis.

192 1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., III. i. 37. Card. My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak Oratorie Can from his Mother winne the Duke of Yorke, Anon expect him here.

193   b.  Of a person: Wanting in ability, ill-qualified, unskilled or inefficient in, of or to do (something).

194 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., cxlix. And, sone, of wit or lore Sen thou art wayke and feble.

195 1564.  Becon, Wks., I. Pref. ☞ C iv. When such as are yet weake in knowledge of Christ and of his holy Gospel heare yt [etc.]. Marg., Weakeynges.

196 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. Introd. ii. Helpe then, O holy Virgin chiefe of nine, Thy weaker Nouice to performe thy will.

197 1653.  W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 28. One of the silliest and weakest Students in Astrologie was chosen out of all the other to confute the Doctor.

198 1780.  Cowper, Progr. Err., 15. Weak to perform, though mighty to pretend. Ibid. (1781), Charity, 633. But if, unhappily deceiv’d, I dream, And prove too weak for so divine a theme.

199 1818.  Keats, Endym., III. 938. O ’tis a very sin For one so weak to venture his poor verse in such a place as this.

200 1831.  Sir J. Sinclair, Corr., II. 257. Some weak politicians would startle at the expense it might occasion.

201 1885.  Leeds Mercury, 24 June, 4/4. The new Government will be so lamentably weak in debating power.

202   transf.  1821.  Shelley, Adonais, lii. Rome’s azure sky, Flowers, ruins, statues, music, words, are weak The glory they transfuse with fitting truth to speak.

203   c.  of literary work or composition: Showing little evidence of ability.

204 1713.  Steele, Englishm., No. 20. 132. It is the weakest Part of a very weak Book.

205 1733.  Pope, Hor. Sat., II. i. 5. The lines are weak, another’s pleas’d to say.

206   10.  Wanting in power or authority over others.

207 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., cxlviii. And quhare a persone has tofore knawing Off It that is to fallen purposely, Lo, fortune is bot wayke in suich a thing.

208 1538.  Starkey, England, I. iii. 84. Our cuntrey ys now weke, and no thyng so strong as hyt hath byn in old tyme.

209 1550.  Crowley, Way to Wealth, 265. If the gentlemen and rulars of thy countreie shoulde be to weake for the, he would bring in strainge nations to subdue the.

210 1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxx. 182. It is a weak Soveraign, that has weak Subjects; and a weak People, whose Soveraign wanteth Power to rule them at his will.

211 1761[?].  Goldsm., Misc. Wks. (1837), I. 472. England, therefore, grew weaker, or, what amounts to the same thing, saw her neighbours grow stronger.

212 1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xx. IV. 437. Sometimes … no set of men who can be brought together possesses the full confidence and steady support of a majority of the House of Commons. When this is the case, there must be a weak Ministry.

213   b.  absol. (Cf. 4 b.)

214 1601.  Shaks., Jul. C., I. iii. 91. Therein, yee Gods, you make the weake most strong: Therein, yee Gods, you Tyrants doe defeat.

215 1697.  [see STRONG a. 5 b].

216 1733.  Pope, Ess. Man, III. 49. Grant that the pow’rful still the weak controul.

217 1844.  Disraeli, Coningsby, IV. iv. The idea of restraining the powerful by the weak is an absurdity.

218   c.  of power, strength, authority, etc.

219 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 311. And moore-ouer contricion destroyeth the prison of helle and maketh wayk and fieble alle the strengthes of the deueles.

220 1533.  Bellenden, Livy (S.T.S.), II. 38. The strenth of every office & power begynnys to be febil and waik in þe lattir parte of þe ȝere.

221 1570.  Satir. Poems Reform., xviii. 47. Thay thocht his deith wald mak thy power waik.

222 1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., II. iii. 154. I cannot mend it, I must needes confesse, Because my power is weake.

223 a. 1656.  [see STRONG a. 5 d].

224   11.  a. Card-playing. Of a game, hand, suit: Not of a commanding nature or value. Of a player: Ill-provided with commanding cards (in a specified suit).

225 1680.  Cotton, Gamester (ed. 2), 75 [L’Ombre]. If the Players have but a weak Game, they are to imitate cunning Beast-players in dividing the Tricks.

226 1742.  Hoyle, Whist, 28. Your Adversary on your Right-hand begins with playing the Ace of your weak Suit. Ibid. (1746), (ed. 6), 62. When ought you to make Tricks early? Ans. When you are weak in Trumps.

227 1864.  [see STRONG a. 24].

228   b.  Money-market. Of money or stock: Insufficient to meet a demand or to carry on operations. Similarly of a holder of stock.

229 1875.  Economist, 23 Jan., 95/1. The Bank reserve will continue too weak for the probable demands upon it in the spring. Ibid., 6 March, 289/2. Several of the weaker holders have been forced to dispose of their stocks at a considerable reduction on former rates.

230   12.  Not strong or energetic in action; lacking in force or power. a. of natural agents, etc.

231 c. 1400.  trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 68. For þat stomake ys lykned to a wayk & feble feer, þat vnnethes may tobrenne rosels and smal chippys.

232 1585.  Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 226/1. Siparum,… a saile wherewith the course or voyage of a ship is holpen, when the wind is weake and faileth.

233 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. v. 100. For my Cloud of Dignitie is held from falling, with so weake a winde, That it will quickly drop.

234 1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, II. vii. 97. If the sunnebeames be weake, they draw vp no fogge from the rivers.

235 a. 1626.  [see STRONG a. 13 c].

236 1660.  F. Brooke, trans. Le Blanc’s Trav., 45. ’Tis to be noted that the tides are weakest at the full of the Moon.

237 1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 175. A combination of weak magnets … will communicate magnetism in proportion to their accumulated power.

238 1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 515. The above list gives them [i.e., external astringents] in order of their efficacy—from the weakest to the strongest.

239 1907.  J. A. Hodges, Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6), 112. Weak sunlight will be found to give the best lighting.

240   † b.  Of food: Not highly nourishing. Obs.

241 1382.  Pol. Poems (Rolls), I. 264. Men may se by thair contynaunce … that thair sustynaunce Simple is and wayke.

242 1615.  Sandys, Trav., 118. Of these [Moors] it is strange to see such a number of broken persons: so being by reason of their strong labour and weake foode.

243   c.  Of the voice: Feeble in enunciation.

244 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 24314. Þir martirs tuin…, quen þai herd crists voice Sa waik þat vnethes most þai here, Come neuer care þair hert sa nere.

245 a. 1568.  Ascham, Scholem., I. (Arb.), 39. A voice, not softe, weake, piping, womannishe, but audible, stronge, and manlike.

246 1697.  Dryden, Æneis, VI. 666. They rais’d a feeble Cry, with trembling Notes: But the weak Voice deceiv’d their gasping Throats.

247 1810.  Crabbe, Borough, xxii. 324. And ’Come,’ they said, with weak, sad voices, ‘come.’

248 1873.  March. Dufferin, Canad. Jrnl. (1891), 81. The voices of the singers were thin and weak.

249 1878.  Hardy, Ret. Native, V. v. ‘Are you not ashamed of me’ … she asked in a weak whisper.

250   d.  Of the pulse: Having little force.

251 1700.  Dryden, Pal. & Arc., I. 154. Weak was the Pulse, and hardly heav’d the Heart.

252 1707.  Floyer, Physic. Pulse-Watch, 403. A weak Pulse, languid, profund, subtile, slow, indicates a cold Disease.

253 1876.  [see STRONG a. 13 b].

254   e.  Of faith, conviction, affection, passions: Wanting in strength, not intense.

255 1530.  Tindale, Answ. More, Wks. (1573), 267. The fayth that dependeth of an other mans mouth is weake.

256 c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., cii. 1. My loue is strengthned, though more weake in seeming.

257 1732.  Pope, Ess. Man, II. 130. Hence diff’rent Passions more or less inflame, As strong or weak, the organs of the frame.

258 1768.  Cowper, Olney Hymns, xviii. 22. Lord, it is my chief complaint That my love is weak and faint.

259   f.  Of words or expressions: Wanting in force, inadequate; implying relatively little fullness of meaning.

260 1774.  Junius Lett., lxiv. (1772), II. 327. If these terms are weak, or ambiguous, in what language can Junius express himself?

261 1861.  Paley, Æschylus (ed. 2), Choeph., 913, note. ‘To waft fate’ is, however, a much weaker term than the other.

262   g.  Of a dose of medicine: Less in quantity (and hence in power) than the normal dose.

263 1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 588. Weak doses of thymol, tar, or subacetate of lead.

264   † h.  Of slumber: Light, not deep or heavy. Obs.

265 1663.  Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., x. (1687), 56. A weak slumber … chaining up his reason, left only his imagination at liberty to rove about.

266   i.  Of a chance: Slight, slender, small in degree.

267 1853.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., x. Shall I call him down? But it’s a weak chance if he’d come, sir!

268   j.  Of an attack of disease: Not severe or acute.

269 1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 586. It [i.e., ‘red gum’] is more probably urticarial or a weak form of prurigo.

270   13.  Wanting in effectiveness.

271 1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. iii. 27. My ancient Incantations are too weake. Ibid. (1600), Sonn., xxxiv. 11. Th’ offenders sorrow ends but weake reliefe To him that beares the strong offenses crosse.

272 1667.  Milton, P. L., XII. 291. When they see Law can discover sin, but not remove, Save by those shadowie expiations weak, The bloud of Bulls and Goats.

273 a. 1718.  Prior, Engraven on Column, 14. Yet Spires and Towers in Dust shall lye, The weak Efforts of Human Pains.

274 1721.  Pope, Epitaph Hon. S. Harcourt. How vain is Reason, Eloquence how weak! In Pope must tell what Harcourt cannot speak.

275 1741.  C’tess Pomfret, in C’tess Hartford’s Corr. (1805), III. 52. Knowing with what goodness you receive my weak endeavours to amuse you.

276 1822.  Shelley, Chas. I., ii. 292. Strafford. Be these the expedients until time and wisdom Shall frame a settled state of government. Laud. And weak expedients they.

277   b.  Of evidence, argument, etc.: Not convincing. Of a case, title, etc.: Not having strong evidence.

278 1538.  Starkey, England, I. ii. 27. That where as my resonys schal appere to you sklender and weke, wyth your dylygence you may them supply.

279 1542.  Elyot, Dict., Caussa inferior, the lesse right, or weker title.

280 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 18 b. Which is a light and verye weake reason.

281 1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. i. 134. Henry. I know not what to say, my Titles weake.

282 1594.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., II. v. § 5. I wonder that a cause so weak and feeble hath bene so much persisted in.

283 c. 1600.  Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 1112. Ȝour warrand is but waik.

284 1630.  Milton, On Shaks., 6. Dear son of memory, great heir of Fame, What need’st thou such weak witnes of thy name?

285 1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacræ, III. i. § 8. Hee admits them upon far weaker grounds than wee do attribute them to God.

286 1686.  Tillotson, Serm. at White-Hall, 1 Cor. iii. 15, 18. [An argument] so intolerably weak and sophistical that any considerate man ought to be asham’d to be catch’d by it.

287 1707.  Atterbury, Vind. Doctr. Funeral Serm. Bennet, 4. Pretending to shew, how weak and improper the Proofs are, which their Asserters employ in the defence of them.

288 1781.  Cowper, Conversat., 722. Will they believe, though credulous enough To swallow much upon much weaker proof.

289 1863.  Twistleton, in W. Smith’s Dict. Bible, III. s.v. Zidon, Justin, however, is such a weak authority for any disputed historical fact.

290 1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., IV. xviii. 188. But the direct evidence for a siege of Oxford is so weak that the tale cannot be relied on.

291 1904.  H. Belloc, Old Road, 119. The first evidence afforded us was weak enough. We saw [etc.].

292   † 14.  Of a thing: Of little account or worth, inconsiderable. Obs.

293 1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., V. i. 434. And this weake and idle theame, No more yeelding but a dreame, Gentles, doe not reprehend. Ibid. (1604), Oth., III. iii. 443. O that the Slaue had forty thousand liues; One is too poore, too weake for my reuenge.

294 1822.  Shelley, Chas. I., ii. 207. Strafford. How weak, how short, is life to pay— King. Peace, peace. Thou ow’st me nothing yet.

295   15.  Having less than the full or proper amount of a specific ingredient. Of an infusion: Over-diluted.

296 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., II. ii. 10. Doth it not shew vildely in me, to desire small Beere? Poin. Why, a Prince should not be so loosely studied, as to remember so weake a Composition.

297 1676.  J. Smith, Art of Painting, vii. 38. You must give it such a quantity of your fat Oyl, that it may not be so weak as to run when you have laid it on, nor so stiff, that it may not work well.

298 1755.  Johnson, Weak.… 6. Not much impregnated with any ingredient: as a weak tincture, weak beer.

299 1769.  J. Skeat, Art of Cookery, Expl. Terms, Cooley; is a white broth or weak gravy.

300 1791.  W. Hamilton, Berthollet’s Dyeing, I. 5. By means of a very weak acid.

301 1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 837. To a weak solution of galls, add a few drops of weak solution of sulphate of iron.

302 1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, lxiv. A great basin of weak tea.

303 1891.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Lumley, xv. A little brandy and water, not too weak.

304   b.  spec. of iron.

305 1841.  Greener, Sci. Gunnery, 120. An iron which is technically termed ‘Weak,’ can never be made a strong bodied iron.

306 1858.  Joynson, Metals, 58–9. Pig-iron produced from very siliceous ores are more difficult to puddle than what is called ‘weak’ pig-iron, which contains a high percentage of phosphorus and sulphur.

307   c.  Of corn: ? Having a small proportion of grain to the chaff.

308 1842.  J. Aiton, Domest. Econ. (1857), 205. Let the cows get … a little clover hay, mixed with weak oats, the refuse of what is sent to the mill. Ibid., 252. The horse gets about the fourth part of a peck of oats, with some weak and refuse corn for supper daily.

309   16.  Wanting in material strength, unsound, insecure.

310 c. 1400.  Contin. Brut, ccxxxii. 375. Oþer strong werkes … were so yshake þerewith, þat þey … shol be euermore, the febelere & weyker while þey stonde.

311 1535–6.  in Trans. Shropsh. Archæol. Soc. (18B0), III. 256. This yeare was a maltman slayne in grope lone in Shrewsburie with the fall of a wecke chymney in an old howse there.

312 1545.  Ascham, Toxoph., II. (Arb.), 121. Freates begynne many tymes in a pin, for there the good woode is corrupted, that it muste nedes be weke, and bycause it is weake, therfore it freates.

313 1612.  R. Ch., Olde Thrift newly revived, 69. Where that many fences bee weake … [to] bee strengthened.

314 1622.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Shilling, B 5. And by misfortune if the Caske be weake, Three or foure Gallons in the ground may leake.

315 1855.  Tennyson, Brook, 84. The gate, Half-parted from a weak and scolding hinge, Stuck.

316 1856.  J. C. Morton, Cycl. Agric., I. 840/1. This causes inequality of growth, weak and deficient places in the hedge.

317 1885.  E. P. Hood, World of Proverb, 131. The strength of the chain is in the weakest link.

318   b.  fig. and in fig. context.

319 1581.  N. Burne, Disput., xxv. 111 b. Thairfoir all that quhilk ye grounde vpone this vaik fundament, man fall altogidder.

320 1595.  Shaks., John, V. vii. 78. Returne with me againe To push destruction, and perpetuall shame Out of the weake doore of our fainting Land.

321 1692.  Prior, Ode Imit. Hor., vii. Your mould’ring Monuments in vain ye raise On the weak Basis of the Tyrant’s Praise.

322   c.  Of a fortified place: Not possessed of sound defence (esp. in some part or on a particular side). Also † weak-breach (in quot. fig.).

323 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), x. 40. Ynentes þe kirk of þe Sepulchre es þe citee maste wayke, for þe grete playne þat es betwene þe citee and þe kirke.

324 a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, III. xiii. § 7. The glittering of the armour, and sounding of the trumpets giving such an assault to the weake-breache of his false senses.

325 1604.  Jas. I., Counterbl. to Tobacco (Arb.), 107. He makes his breach and entrie, at some … parts thereof, which hee hath tried and found to bee weakest and least able to resist.

326 1652.  H. Cogan, trans. Scudery’s Ibrahim, Pref., in Villiers’ Rehearsal (Arb.), 30. It is of works of this nature, as of a place of war, where notwithstanding all the care the Engineer hath brought to fortifie it, there is alwayes some weak part found.

327 1673.  Temple, Observ. Netherl., viii. 251. Those Out-works which are either weak of themselves, or not well defensible for want of men.

328 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 597. Bristol had fortifications which, on the north of the Avon … were weak.

329   quasi-adv.  1720.  Ozell, trans. Vertot’s Rom. Rep., II. XIV. 418. Hirtius found out a Place weaker guarded than the rest, which he carried Sword in hand.

330   d.  Weak side [cf. F. côté faible]. (a) Of a fortified place: A side defectively fortified or unsound in its defences. (b) fig.

331   (a)  1667.  Dryden, Secret Love, 1st Prol. iv. Plays are like Towns, which, howe’re fortifi’d By Engineers, have still some weaker side, By the o’reseen Defendant unespy’d.

332   (b.)  1671.  Temple, Surv. Const. Empire, Sueden, etc., Miscell. (1680), 13. Their Application … to trade, has much increast their Shipping and Seamen (which they found to be their weak-side in their last attempts).

333 1692.  L’Estrange, Fables, I. cccxxx. 288. This Dog here would perhaps have Fought for his Master in any Other Case…: But the Love of Mution was his Weak side.

334 1713.  Addison, Cato, I. i. To quell the tyrant Love, and guard thy heart On this weak side, where most our nature fails.

335 1730.  T. Boston, Mem., vii. (1899), 140. Satan soon after got in upon my weak side.

336 1780.  Mirror, No. 92. My friend is a little inclined to take things on their weak side.

337 1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, XI. v. ¶ 1. He spared you the trouble of finding out the weak side of that prelate and his principal officers, by discovering their different characters to you.

338   e.  Weak point. (a) Of a thing: The point or feature where it is defective or unsound. (b) (A person’s) weak point, a failing or weakness (moral or intellectual).

339   (a)  1868.  S. Neil, Publ. Meetings, 81. In it [sc. the peroration] the strong points should be enforced, and the weak should be slipped airly over.

340 1869.  Tozer, Highl. Turkey, II. 21. A magnificent view indeed it was…. The weak point in it was that the country on one side was … excluded from view.

341 1875.  [see WEAR v. 15].

342 1883.  A. Sidgwick, Fallacies, 218. To use it as a rough guide in finding the weak point of an argument.

343 1908.  Animal Management (War Office), 180. Every weak point in the fit of a saddle in a squadron should be known.

344 1920.  Times Lit. Suppl., 29 April, 263/3. The weak point of modern capitalism is the opportunity it gives of bad spending.

345   (b)  1827.  Hare, Guesses, I. 183. Do you want to find out a person’s weak points? Observe the failings he has the quickest eye for in others.

346 1849.  C. Brontë, Shirley, xxv. Other people betrayed consciousness of, and annoyance at her weak points.

347   17.  Wanting in solidity or firmness; slight; of a texture easily broken, fragile, frail.

348 1581 [1582].  T. Norton, in Nicolas, Sir C. Hatton (1847), 235. I desire not to undertake any such work, but do shun it as storms in a broad sea for a weak vessel.

349 1601.  Shaks., Jul. C., I. iii. 108. Those that with haste will make a mightie fire, Begin it with weake Strawes.

350 1680.  J. Collins, Plea Irish Cattell, etc., 26. The Hurds,… or Tow, of Flax and Hemp, will serve to make a weaker, or a worser sort of Linnen.

351 1705.  trans. Bosman’s Guinea, 260. Their Eggs are … covered … with a thick Flesh which is pliable and weak.

352 1756.  R. Rogers, Jrnls. (1769), 11. We then attempted to cross the lake, but found the ice too weak.

353 1817.  Shelley, To William Shelley, 2. The billows on the beach are leaping around it, The bark is weak and frail.

354 1897.  Pr. Ranjitsinhji, Jubilee Bk. Cricket, iv. 148. A weak, springy [bat] handle is a mistake. A handle should bend like the butt-end of a good fly-rod and not like an aspen stick.

355   fig.  1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., Ded. I know not … how the worlde will censure mee for choosing so strong a proppe to support so weake a burthen.

356 1781.  Cowper, Expost., 629. What web too weak to catch a modern brain? Ibid. (1784), Tiroc., 169. How weak the barrier of mere nature proves, Oppos’d against the pleasures nature loves!

357   18.  Not strongly marked. a. Of colors, markings: Not vivid.

358 1585.  Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 177/2. Buxeus,… weake or vnperfect yellow, like box.

359 1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., III. ii. 6. This weake impresse of Loue, is as a figure Trenched in ice, which with an houres heate Dissolues to water, and doth loose his forme.

360 1831.  Brewster, Optics, x. 87. In the spectrum of Pollux there were many weak but fixed lines.

361 1876.  Abney, Instr. Photogr. (ed. 3), 100. For a negative of the weak type the bromide may be omitted. Ibid. (1878), Treat. Photogr., xii. 85. Defects in negatives…. A weak image may be due—1, to an unsuitable collodion [etc.].

362   b.  Mining and Geol. (See quot. 1884.)

363 1833.  T. Sopwith, Mining Distr. Alston Moor, 107. Old Carr’s Cross Vein, in Alston Moor, in mining language, is weakest at the north end.

364 1884.  J. A. Phillips, Ore Deposits, 185. In the Alston-Moor district a vein is said to be weak when the strata on either side are but slightly displaced.

365   c.  Of an animal’s scent: Faint.

366 1854.  Surtees, Handley Cr., xxxvii. (1901), II. 6. Pigg lifted his ’ounds, the scent being weak from the water.

367   19.  Comm. Of market prices, the market: Having a downward tendency, not firm. Hence of commodities with regard to their prices.

368 1856.  in Tooke & Newmarch, Hist. Prices (1857), V. 657. In January (’56) the market opened with much firmness at 75 s.…; subsequently the tone became weaker.

369 1882.  Daily News, 23 Aug., 2/7. Prices for wheat, however, were decidedly weaker. Ibid. (1900), 17 Sept., 2/5. Hematite continues to be weak, as was the case at Tuesday’s market.

370 1903.  S. S. Pratt, Work of Wall St., 100. If there are more offers than bids the market is weak and the price declines.

371   20.  Phonetics and Prosody. Of a sound: Pronounced with less force than the adjacent sound or sounds. Of accent, stress: Having relatively little force. Of a syllable, the ending of a verse: Unstressed or without metrical ictus. Of the caesura: Falling after a short syllable.

372   Weak ending, the occurrence of an unstressed or proclitic monosyllable (a preposition or conjunction) in the normally stressed place at the end of an iambic line. Sometimes distinguished from light ending (e.g., a relative pronoun or auxiliary verb), on which the voice can dwell slightly.

373 a. 1637.  B. Jonson, Engl. Gram., iv. (1640), 43. Before e. and i. it [C] hath a weake sound, and hisseth like s.

374 1662.  Howell, New Engl. Gram., 28. This letter n … hath three degrees of sounds, full in the beginning, weak in the middle, and flat at the end of a word.

375 1765.  J. Elphinston, Princ. Engl. Lang., II. 329. Combinations of two syllables. Iamb, a short and a long, or a weak and a strong.

376 1774.  [W. Mitford], Ess. Harmony Lang., 100. Besides these, feet often occur with the strong accent on both syllables; and frequently one foot, sometimes two in a verse, have the weaker accent only.

377 1824.  T. Martin, Philol. Eng. Gram., 117. When two consonants fall together and will not combine, the weaker is sometimes silent.

378 1838.  E. Guest, Engl. Rhythms, I. 86. The primary accent of the adjective ought always, when not emphatic, to be weaker than that of the substantive.

379 1852.  Proc. Philol. Soc., V. 153. A foot catalectic on the weak syllable.

380 1857.  C. Bathurst, Shaks. Versif., 38. There are several instances of the weak endings.

381 1871.  J. Hadley, Ess. (1873), 273. The effect of a weak r on the preceding short vowel.

382 1874.  B. H. Kennedy, Publ. Sch. Lat. Gram., § 260 (ed. 2), 529. A weak trochaic caesura, after the trochee or second syllable of the dactyl.

383 1874.  J. K. Ingram, in Trans. New Shaks. Soc., II. 447. The former may with convenience be called ‘light endings,’ whilst to the latter may be appropriated the name (hitherto vaguely given to both groups jointly) of ‘weak endings.’

384 1886.  J. B. Mayor, Engl. Metre, 103. Some have maintained that the basis of the metre is a double trochee with a weaker stress on the first syllable and stronger on the third.

385   21.  Philol. In various applications, opposed to strong (see STRONG a. 22). a. Of Teut. nouns and adjs.: Belonging to any of the declensions in which the stem in OTeut. ended in -n. b. Of Teut. verbs: Forming the preterite by the addition of a suffix. c. In Greek grammar, sometimes applied to the sigmatic or ‘first’ aorist, in contradistinction to the ‘second’ or ‘strong’ aorist. d. In Sanskrit grammar, the designation of the reduced stems of nouns, and of the cases in which the reduced stem occurs. e. In Hebrew and Syriac grammar applied to certain consonants (otherwise called ‘feeble’) and to verbs that have one or more of these in the root. f. The designation of the ablaut-grade that results from absence of stress.

386   a.  1841.  [see STRONG a. 22 a].

387 1885.  J. Byrne, Struct. Lang., II. 194. There is also in all the Teutonic languages a weak declension, as Grimm has called it, which has arisen from the insertion of n or an between the stem and the element of case or number.

388   b.  1841.  Latham, Eng. Lang., xviii. 198. Weak Tenses. The Præterite Tense of the Weak Verbs is formed by the addition of d or t.… The Verbs of the Weak Conjugation fall into Three Classes.

389 1845.  Proc. Philol. Soc., II. 50. In the weak perfects of the Teutonic languages … no such difficulty presents itself.

390 1886.  Kington Oliphant, New Engl., I. 228. There is a curious confusion of the Strong and Weak verb in metal moltynnyd.

391   c.  1875.  E. Abbott, Curtius’ Elucid. Student’s Grk. Gram., 104. The sibilant common to both naturally leads from the future to the weak aorist.

392 1876.  Papillon, Man. Comp. Philol., 196. The Weak or Compound Aorist (1 aor.).

393   d.  1863.  Benfey, Sansk. Gram., § 220. 176. There are some nouns which have a strong and a weak form. Ibid., § 238. 198. In the Veda the distinction between the strong and weak cases … is less regularly observed than in the later Sanskrit.

394   e.  1874.  A. B. Davidson, Hebr. Gram., 69. A weak verb is a verb which has one or more of its three stem letters a weak letter. The weak letters are the gutturals, the quiescents, and nun.

395 1904.  J. A. Crichton, Nöldeke’s Syriac Gram., 42. Weak roots vary a good deal in their weak letters. Ibid., 106. A few verbs primae n also take e, as well as a few weak verbs.

396   f.  1888.  Sweet, Hist. Engl. Sounds, § 249. The result was a variety of vowel-series, each with the three stages, strong, medium, and weak.

397 1891.  A. L. Mayhew, O. E. Phonol., § 645. Weak (i. e. Zero) Grades.

398 1908.  Wright, O. E. Gram., § 472. In the athematic verbs the personal endings were added to the bare root, which had the strong grade form of ablaut in the singular, but the weak grade in the dual and plural.

399   22.  Comb. a. In parasynthetic adjs., as weak-backed, -brained, -chined, etc. See also WEAK-HANDED, -HEADED, -HEARTED, -KNEED, -MINDED, -SIGHTED.

400 1535.  Coverdale, Isa. xxviii. 7. They are … *weake braned thorow stronge drynke.

401 1841.  Dickens, Barn. Rudge, xxxiv. It is a foolish fancy on the part of this weak-brained man.

402 a. 1663.  Killigrew, Parson’s Wedd., I. i. (1664), 75. The *weak-chin’d slave hir’d me once to say, I was with Child by him.

403 1657.  J. Sergeant, Schism Dispach’t, 94. This *weak-conscienc’d man.

404 1645.  Waller, To Mistris Braughton, 8. So in those Nations which the Sun adore Some modest Persian, or some *weak-ey’d Moore, No higher dares advance his dazled sight.

405 1746.  Collins, Ode to Evening, iii. Save where the weak-eyed bat With short shrill shriek flits by on leathern wing.

406 1822.  Shelley, Chas. I., ii. 127. And banish weak-eyed Mercy to the weak.

407 1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., II. iii. 119. Not able to produce more accusation Then your owne *weake-hindg’d Fancy.

408 1853.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., liii. You’re not one of the *weak-legged ones.

409 1852.  Thackeray, Esmond, I. xii. My Lord Firebrace was but a feeble-minded and *weak-limbed young nobleman.

410 1802.  ‘An English Traveller,’ Sk. Paris, II. lx. 293. These *weak-nerved females, who would have fainted at the sight of a spider mangling a fly.

411 1835.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Parlour Orator. *Weak-pated dolts they are.

412 1796.  W. H. Marshall, W. Eng., II. 207. A *weaksoiled arable District.

413 1508.  Fisher, Wks. (1876), 253. Those the whiche be basshefull and *weyke spyryted.

414 1896.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 229. A *weak-walled heart … is much more easily influenced by digitalis than a healthy one.

415 1885.  Graphic, 21 Feb., 174/2. *Weak-willed folk.

416 1909.  G. M. Trevelyan, Garibaldi & the Thousand, iv. 73. The doubtful and weak-willed guide of Europe’s destiny was touched by the undiplomatic sound of truth, purpose, and courage.

417 1649.  G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. IV., ccxxiv. Soe cutting through a Swarme Of Gnatts, an Eagle scoureing after Prey, Beats downe the *weak-wing’d vermin in her way.

418 1865.  Swinburne, Chastelard, IV. i. 159. These men be *weaker-witted than mere fools When they fall mad once.

419   b.  as adv. with pa. pples., weak-built, made; with pres. pples., weak-growing, -shivering.

420 1593.  Shaks., Lucr., 130. Yet euer to obtaine his will resoluing. Though *weake-built hopes perswade him to abstaining.

421 1656.  Cowley, Pindar. Odos, Life and Fame, i. Oh Life … Vain weak-built Isthmus, which dost proudly rise Up betwixt two Eternities.

422 1842.  Loudon, Suburban Hort., 705. In *weak-growing sorts, apt to fruit, they should be encouraged with manure.

423 1593.  Shaks., Lucr., 1260. Those proud Lords to blame, Make *weak-made women tenants to their shame.

424 1727–46.  Thomson, Summer, 1260. Nor, when cold Winter keens the brightening flood, Would I *weak-shivering linger on the brink.

425   c.  † weak-back, † -wit, one who is weak in the back, in mind; † weak-heart a., = WEAK-HEARTED.

426 a. 1425.  trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. 8. All þinges ar hard to a waik hert man, for þai trow euermore yuellez to be nyȝe to þam.

427 1656.  Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., I. ix. (1674), 11. [Greek] proves hard of digestion to the squeasie stomacks of modern weak-wits.

428 1659.  Cleveland, Vit. Uxoris, xviii. By thee ’tis likely shee’l have none. Whilst thou for weak-back go.

429   † B.  sb. = FEEBLE sb. 4, FOIBLE 2. In quot. 1683 fig. Obs.

430 1683.  D. A., Art of Converse, 87. And so [we] lose a considerable advantage over our Adversary by not reflecting where the weak of his discourse lies; we think only on’t when the stroke is past.

431 1692.  Sir W. Hope, Fencing Master, 28. Thrust with the Fort of your Sword upon the weak or his.

432 © 2024 WEHD.com