weakness

Etymology

From Middle English weykenesse; equivalent to weak + -ness.

noun

1. (uncountable) The condition of being weak.
   In a small number of horses, muscle weakness may progress to paralysis.
2. (countable) An inadequate quality; fault
   His inability to speak in front of an audience was his weakness.
   Bradford had preyed on Villa's inability to defend set pieces, corners in particular, in their first-leg win and took advantage of the weakness again as Hanson equalised to restore their two-goal aggregate lead. January 22, 2013, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4)”, in BBC
   Such a male-dominated environment is also likely to contribute to the lingering presence of an outdated belief that expressing feelings and demonstrating emotion is a sign of weakness, deterring some men from discussing their problems. July 1 2020, Paul Stephen, “Vital Connections”, in Rail, page 41
3. (countable) A special fondness or desire.
   She is an athlete who has a weakness for chocolate.