infirmity
UK[ɪnˈfɜː.mə.ti]US[ɪnˈfɝː.mə.t̬i]
n
physical or mental weakness or illness.
n
a particular physical or mental weakness or illness.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
firm
ity
in
not
firm
strong
ity
state or condition
Etymology
the word infirmity traces its lineage to latin, built upon the adjective 'firmus,' meaning strong or stable. the prefix 'in-' acts as a negator, creating 'infirmus' to describe a state of not being strong, hence weak or feeble. the suffix '-ity,' also from latin '-itas,' was added to form the abstract noun 'infirmitas,' denoting the condition of weakness. this logical construction, moving from strength to its absence and finally to the abstract state of that absence, traveled through old french before entering middle english, solidifying its modern meaning pertaining to physical or mental frailty.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + firm (strong) + ity (state or condition)
in- (latin, a prefix meaning "not"); firm (latin, from 'firmus' meaning strong, stable); -ity (latin, a noun-forming suffix indicating a state or condition).
Examples
old age is often accompanied by various infirmities.
his chronic back pain was a lifelong infirmity.
the disease left her with a permanent physical infirmity.