enervate
UK: ˈen.ə.veɪt | US: ˈen.ɚ.veɪt
vt. to weaken or drain energy or vitality
adj. (rare) lacking strength or vigor
Derived from Latin enervare ("to weaken"), combining e- (a variant of ex-, meaning "out") and nervus ("nerve, sinew"). The literal sense was "to cut the tendons or nerves," rendering someone powerless. Over time, it shifted metaphorically to mean "to drain energy or vitality." The morpheme nerv survives in modern English words like "nerve" and "nervous," though enervate ironically now implies mental/physical exhaustion rather than literal nerve damage.
The oppressive heat enervated the hikers, leaving them too exhausted to continue.
Chronic stress can enervate even the most resilient individuals.
The team's morale was enervated by constant setbacks.
His enervate posture suggested he hadn’t slept in days.
The long, tedious lecture enervated the audience.