ETYM Latin enervatio: cf. French énervation.
Lack of vitality.
The quality of lacking intensity or substance; SYN. tenuity.
The weaker half of a sword's blade from the forte to the tip.
ETYM Old Eng. frelete, freilte, Old Fren. fraileté, from Latin fragilitas. Related to Frail, Fragility.
Moral weakness; SYN. vice.
ETYM Latin indulgentia: cf. French indulgence.
1. A disposition to yield to the wishes of someone; SYN. lenience, leniency.
2. An inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires; SYN. self-indulgence.
3. The act of indulging or gratifying a desire; SYN. indulging, pampering, humoring, pleasing.
Former Catholic pardon granted for remission of punishment for sins.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the total or partial remission of temporal punishment for sins that remain to be expiated after penitence and confession have secured exemption from eternal punishment. The doctrine of indulgence began as the commutation of church penances in exchange for suitable works of charity or money gifts to the church, and became a great source of church revenue. This trade in indulgences roused Martin Luther in 1517 to initiate the Reformation. The Council of Trent 1563 recommended moderate retention of indulgences, and they continue, notably in “Holy Years”.
ETYM Latin infirmitas; cf. French infirmite. Related to Infirm.
The state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age); SYN. frailty, debility, feebleness, frailness.
ETYM Old Eng. langour, Old Fren. langour, French langueur, Latin languor. Related to Languish.
1. A feeling of lack of interest or energy; SYN. lassitude, listlessness.
2. A relaxed comfortable feeling; SYN. dreaminess.
3. An unusual lack of energy; SYN. lethargy, sluggishness.
Listlessness; weariness.
1. A penchant for something even though it might not be good for you.
2. The condition of being financially weak.
3. The property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain.