frailty
UK: ˈfreɪlti | US: ˈfreɪlti
n. the condition of being weak or delicate, especially due to age or illness
n. a moral weakness or flaw in character
frail<weak> + ty<noun suffix>
- frail: From Old French fraile, meaning "weak" or "fragile," derived from Latin fragilis (breakable).
- ty: A noun-forming suffix indicating state or condition (e.g., safety, penalty).
Etymology Origin:
The word frailty traces back to Latin fragilis (breakable), which evolved into Old French fraile before entering Middle English as frail. The suffix -ty (from Latin -tas) was added to nominalize the adjective, creating a term for the state of weakness—both physical (bodily fragility) and moral (character flaws). The dual meaning reflects the historical association between physical and ethical vulnerability.
The old man’s frailty made it difficult for him to walk without assistance.
Her kindness masked the frailty of her health.
Greed is often seen as a human frailty.
The bridge’s frailty became apparent after years of neglect.
He acknowledged his frailty and sought to improve his self-discipline.