weak

Etymology

From Middle English weyk, wayk, weik, waik, from Old Norse veikr (“weak”), from Proto-Germanic *waikwaz (“weak, yielded, pliant, bendsome”), from Proto-Indo-European *weyk- (“to bend, wind”). Cognate with Old English wāc (“weak, bendsome”), Saterland Frisian wook (“soft, gentle, tender”), West Frisian weak (“soft”), Dutch week (“soft, weak”), German weich (“weak, soft”), Norwegian veik (“weak”), Swedish vek (“weak, pliant”), Icelandic veikur (“bendsome, weak”). Related to Old English wīcan (“to yield”). Doublet of week and wick.

adj

1. Lacking in force (usually strength) or ability.
   The child was too weak to move the boulder.
   They easily guessed his weak computer password.
2. Unable to sustain a great weight, pressure, or strain.
   a weak timber; a weak rope
3. Unable to withstand temptation, urgency, persuasion, etc.; easily impressed, moved, or overcome; accessible; vulnerable.
   weak resolutions; weak virtue
   Guard thy heart / On this weak side, where most our nature fails. 1703, Nicholas Rowe, The Fair Penitent, act I, scene I
4. (often with for) Having a strong, irrepressible emotional love for someone or (less often) something; sentimentally affected by such love.
   'Cause sugar pie, honey bunch You know that I'm weak for you Can't help myself I love you and nobody else 23 Apr 65, “I Can't Help Myself”, in Four Tops Second Album, performed by The Four Tops
   It’s really good to hear your voice Sayin' my name, it sounds so sweet Comin' from the lips of an angel Hearin' those words, it makes me weak 3 Apr 06, “Lips Of An Angel”, in Extreme Behavior, performed by Hinder
5. Dilute, lacking in taste or potency.
   That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired. 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 2, in The Mirror and the Lamp
   We were served stale bread and weak tea.
6. (grammar) Displaying a particular kind of inflection, including:
   1. (Germanic languages, of verbs) Regular in inflection, lacking vowel changes and having a past tense with -d- or -t-.
   2. (Germanic languages, of nouns) Showing less distinct grammatical endings.
   3. (Germanic languages, of adjectives) Definite in meaning, often used with a definite article or similar word.
7. (chemistry) That does not ionize completely into anions and cations in a solution.
   a weak acid; a weak base
8. (physics) One of the four fundamental forces associated with nuclear decay.
9. (slang) Bad or uncool.
   This place is weak.
10. (mathematics, logic) Having a narrow range of logical consequences; narrowly applicable. (Often contrasted with a strong statement which implies it.)
11. Resulting from, or indicating, lack of judgment, discernment, or firmness; unwise; hence, foolish.
12. Not having power to convince; not supported by force of reason or truth; unsustained.
    The prosecution advanced a weak case.
13. Lacking in vigour or expression.
    a weak sentence; a weak style
14. Not prevalent or effective, or not felt to be prevalent; not potent; feeble.
15. (stock exchange) Tending towards lower prices.
    a weak market; wheat is weak at present
16. (photography) Lacking contrast.
    a weak negative