wi:k adj. 1
deficient in
strength,
power, or
number;
fragile;
easily broken or bent or defeated. 2 deficient in
vigour;
sickly,
feeble (weak
health; a weak imagination). 3 a deficient in
resolution; easily
led (a weak character). b (of an
action or features) indicating a
lack of resolution (a weak
surrender; a weak chin). 4
unconvincing or logically deficient (weak
evidence; a weak argument). 5 (of a
mixed liquid or solution)
watery,
thin,
dilute (weak tea). 6 (of a
style etc.)
not vigorous or well-knit;
diffuse,
slipshod. 7 (of a crew) short-handed. 8 (of a
syllable etc.)
unstressed. 9 Gram. in
Germanic languages: a (of a verb) forming inflections by
the addition of a
suffix to the stem. b (of a
noun or adjective) belonging to a
declension in
which the stem originally ended in -n (opp.
STRONG adj. 22). øweak
ending an unstressed syllable in a
normally stressed
place at the
end of a verse-line. the weaker
sex derog.
women. weak
grade Gram. an unstressed ablaut-form. weak
interaction Physics the weakest
form of interaction
between elementary particles. weak-kneed colloq.
lacking resolution. weak-minded 1 mentally deficient. 2 lacking in resolution. weak-mindedness the
state of
being weak-minded. weak
moment a
time when one is unusually
compliant or temptable. weak
point (or spot) 1 a place
where defences are assailable. 2 a flaw in an
argument or
character or in
resistance to
temptation. øøweakish adj. [ME f. ON veikr f. Gmc]