weyk

Middle English

Noun

weyk

  1. Alternative form of weke (wick)

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Old Norse veikr, from Proto-Germanic *waikwaz, from Proto-Indo-European *weyk- (to bend, wind); forms with /ɛː/ are borrowed from Old Norse dialects which underwent East Nordic monophongisation. Doublet of woke; akin to Old English wīcan (to yield).

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /wæi̯k/, /wɛːk/

Adjective

weyk (plural and weak singular weyke, comparative weyker, superlative weykest)

  1. weak (feeble; lacking bodily strength, might, or energy):
    1. Weak or feeble due to illness, affliction or aging.
    2. Tired; weak or feeble due to overexertion (physical or not)
    3. (of a body part) Vulnerable, inflexible, frail.
    4. (rare) Lacking competency in combat or on the battlefield.
  2. Lacking mental strength, force, power or endurance:
    1. Weak religiously; in danger of sinning or moral failure.
    2. Fearing, afraid; lacking bravery, heart, or courage.
    3. Unintelligent; lacking intelligence or mental willpower.
    4. (rare) Lazy, indolent, slothful; unwilling to exert.
  3. weak (lacking force or strength otherwise):
    1. Lacking military force or might; militarily weak.
    2. Useless or ineffectual; lacking effect, utility or power.
    3. (rare) Helpless; lacking authority or control.
    4. (rare) Weakened; lacking presence or magnitude.
    5. (of sound, rare) Hard to hear or detect; quiet.
  4. Lacking physical rigidity, permanence, or solidness.
    1. (rare) Bendable; able to be plied or flexed.
    2. (rare) Easily damaged, attacked, or destroyed; fragile.
  5. Having a tendency to be ill or sick; infirm or frail.
Derived terms
Descendants
  • English: weak
  • Scots: waik, wake, wak (conflated with woke)

Further reading

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