-imbe-

a. [ L. imbecillis, and imbecillus; of unknown origin: cf. F. imbécile. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To weaken; to make imbecile; as, to imbecile men's courage. [ Obs. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To weaken, as to the body or the mind; to enfeeble. [ R. ] A. Wilson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Imbecilities [ L. imbecillitas: cf. F. imbécillité. ] The quality of being imbecile; weakness; feebleness, esp. of mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cruelty . . . argues not only a depravedness of nature, but also a meanness of courage and imbecility of mind. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This term is used specifically to denote natural weakness of the mental faculties, affecting one's power to act reasonably or intelligently.

Syn. -- Debility; infirmity; weakness; feebleness; impotence. See Debility. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imbedded p. pr. & vb. n. Imbedding. ] [ Pref. im- in + bed. Cf. Embed. ] To sink or lay, as in a bed; to deposit in a partly inclosing mass, as of clay or mortar; to cover, as with earth, sand, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. imbellis; pref. im- = in- not + bellum war; cf. bellicus warlike. ] Not warlike or martial. [ Obs. ] R. Junius. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. im- in + bench. ] A raised work like a bench. [ Obs. ] Parkhurst. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The loon. See Ember-goose. [ 1913 Webster ]