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# infirmity

noun (an infirmity, infirmities; infirmity — uncountable)

«infirmity» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) An infirmity is a physical or mental weakness or illness, especially one that comes with old age. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#m1)
2. Infirmity is the state of being weak or ill for a long time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#m2)

### In the lessons

A formal or old-fashioned word in history, classic stories and the Bible («the infirmities of age»). Today people more often say «illness», «disability» or «frailty». It tells the reader that a character is weak, ill or very old. Phrases: the infirmities of old age, illness and infirmity.

### Examples

- Grandad never complained about the infirmities of old age. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#x1)
- The old king's infirmity meant his son ruled for him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#x2)
- The hospital was built for the sick and those in infirmity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#x3)
- Despite her infirmity, she walked to church every Sunday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#x4)
- In the Bible, Jesus is described as healing many infirmities. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#x5)
- The almshouse was for poor people who could no longer work because of infirmity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#x6)
- Who else would have borne with my infirmities as thou hast! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/#x7)

### Note

Formal; a doctor would say illness or condition. The adjective is infirm (weak from age or illness). An infirmary is an old word for a hospital or a sick room in a school. Be respectful: do not use «infirm» as an insult.

## In Jewish tradition

It means bodily weakness or sickness, which a strong spirit can bear.

**Interpretation.** Proverbs teaches that inner courage and hope help people endure illness, while a crushed spirit is much harder to bear.

### Examples

- The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear? (Writings PRO.18.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/infirmity/#x1)

### Note

Formal; a doctor would say illness or condition. The adjective is infirm (weak from age or illness). An infirmary is an old word for a hospital or a sick room in a school. Be respectful: do not use «infirm» as an insult.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «infirmity» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/infirmity/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«infirmity» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/infirmity.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «infirmity» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/infirmity/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«infirmity» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/infirmity.html) on Mova free.