weakness

== English == === Alternative forms === weakenes (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English wayknesse, weykenesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”). Equivalent to weak +‎ -ness. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈwiːk.nɪs/, /ˈwiːk.nəs/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈwik.nɪs/, /ˈwik.nəs/ (Australian) IPA(key): /ˈwiːk.nɪs/, [ˈwɪiːk.nɪs], [ˈwɪ̈iːk.nɪs] === Noun === weakness (countable and uncountable, plural weaknesses) (uncountable) The condition of being weak. Antonyms: strength, power, powerfulness; invulnerability, invincibility Coordinate terms: powerlessness, impotence, incapacity Near-synonyms: debility, frailty, vulnerability; vincibility (countable) An inadequate quality; fault. Synonyms: defect, flaw, hole Antonyms: strength, forte Hyponyms: weak spot, soft spot, Achilles heel (countable) A special fondness or obsessing desire. Synonym: soft spot ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === “weakness”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “weakness”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.