weaken
weaken
UK[ˈwiːkən]US[ˈwiːkən]
v
To become less strong or powerful, or to make someone or something less strong or powerful.
v
To make something less certain or determined.
Morpheme Breakdown
weak
en
weak
adjective
en
verb-forming suffix
Etymology
The word 'weaken' is a transparent Germanic formation, built from the adjective 'weak' and the productive suffix '-en'. The root 'weak' originates from Old English wāc, which carried meanings of being pliant, yielding, or lacking in strength, a concept inherited from the Proto-Germanic waikwaz. The suffix '-en', derived from Old English -nian, is a classic English verb-forming element that transforms an adjective into a verb meaning "to become or make" whatever the adjective describes. Therefore, the literal construction "to make weak" has remained perfectly logical and intact from its Old English origins to its modern abstract usage, which encompasses reducing physical strength, authority, intensity, or resolve.
Analysis
Structure: weak (adjective) + en (verb-forming suffix)
- weak: From Old English wāc (pliant, yielding, weak), from Proto-Germanic waikwaz. Functions as the core adjective root describing a lack of strength.
- en: A verb-forming suffix of Germanic origin, from Old English -nian, used to form verbs meaning "to become or make (adjective)".
Examples
The patient's condition began to weaken after the fever set in.
Critics argue that the new policy will weaken environmental protections.
His resolve never weakened, even in the face of severe criticism.