imbecile Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person of subnormal intelligence
    retard; half-wit; idiot; changeling; moron; cretin.
  2. adjective satellite having a mental age of three to seven years
    imbecilic; idiotic.

WordNet

Im"be*cile adjective
Etymology
L. imbecillis, and imbecillus; of unknown origin: cf. F. imbécile.
Definitions
  1. Destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; esp., mentally wea; feeble-minded; as, hospitals for the imbecile and insane. Syn. -- Weak; feeble; feeble-minded; idiotic.
Im"be*cile noun
Definitions
  1. One destitute of strength; esp., one of feeble mind.
Im"be*cile transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To weaken; to make imbecile; as, to imbecile men's courage. Obs. Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1913