enfeeble
UK[ɪnˈfiːb(ə)l]US[ɪnˈfiːb(ə)l]
v
to make someone or something very weak
Morpheme Breakdown
en
feeble
en
cause to be
feeble
weak
Etymology
the word 'enfeeble' is a composite formed in middle english from the old french prefix 'en-' and the adjective 'feble'. the prefix 'en-', derived from latin 'in-', functions to create a verb meaning 'to cause to be' or 'to put into a state'. the core element 'feeble' originates from latin 'flebilis', an adjective meaning 'lamentable' or 'worthy of tears', which itself stems from the verb 'flēre' (to weep). the semantic journey thus moved from the concept of something pitiable and weak from sorrow to the general state of physical or moral weakness. the modern verb 'enfeeble' logically combines these elements to mean 'to cause to become weak'.
Analysis
Structure: en (cause to be) + feeble (weak)
en (from old french, from latin 'in-', a prefix meaning 'in, into, cause to be'); feeble (from old french 'feble', from latin 'flebilis' meaning 'lamentable, to be wept over', related to 'flēre' to weep)
Examples
the long illness had enfeebled him considerably.
critics argue that such policies would enfeeble the national economy.
the goal of the strategy is to enfeeble the opponent's defenses before the main assault.