feeble

Etymology

From Middle English feble, from Anglo-Norman feble (“weak, feeble”) (compare French faible), from Latin flēbilis (“tearful, mournful, lamentable”) by dissimilation, from fleō (“I weep, cry”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₁-. Doublet of foible.

adj

1. Deficient in physical strength.
   Though she appeared old and feeble, she could still throw a ball.
   France were transformed from the feeble, divided unit that had squeaked past Wales in the semi-final, their half-backs finding the corners with beautifully judged kicks from hand, the forwards making yards with every drive and a reorganised Kiwi line-out beginning to malfunction. October 23, 2011, Tom Fordyce, “2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France”, in BBC Sport
2. Lacking force, vigor, or effectiveness in action or expression; faint.
   That was a feeble excuse for an example.

verb

1. (obsolete) To make feeble; to enfeeble.