debilitate

To debilitate is defined as to weaken, make ill or destroy.

(verb)

When an illness wears you down and makes you ill, this is an example of a time when the illness debilitates.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See debilitate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb debilitated, debilitating

to make weak or feeble; enervate

Origin: < L debilitatus, pp. of debilitare, to weaken < debilis, weak, not strong < de- (see de-) + deriv. of IE base *bel-, strong > Gr belteros, better

Related Forms:

See debilitate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb de·bil·i·tat·ed, de·bil·i·tat·ing, de·bil·i·tates
To sap the strength or energy of; enervate.

Origin:

Origin: Latin dēbilitāre, dēbilitāt-

Origin: , from dēbilis, weak; see bel- in Indo-European roots

.

Related Forms:

  • de·bilˌi·taˈtion noun
  • de·bilˈi·taˌtive adjective

Learn more about debilitate

link/cite print suggestion box