Infirme (en. Infirm)

/ɛ̃.firm/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

adjective

Refers to a person whose health is impaired or who is disabled.

He had to modify his home to make it accessible for the disabled.

Il a dû adapter son logement pour le rendre accessible aux infirmes.

Said of something that is weak or not very solid.

The argument of his defense was weak and did not hold up in court.

L'argument de sa défense était infirme et n'a pas tenu devant le tribunal.

Related to a physical or mental deficiency.

The rights of disabled persons are often overlooked.

Les droits des personnes infirment sont souvent négligés.

Comes from the Latin 'infirrnus', meaning 'weak' or 'ill'.

to have disabilities

To be affected by physical disabilities or illnesses.

avoir des infirmités

war cripple

A soldier who has been injured in combat and suffers from disabilities.

infirme de guerre

disability

Decrease or loss of a person's capacity, whether physical or mental.

handicap

deficiency

State of lack or deficiency of something, often related to abilities.

déficience

Used to refer to someone clumsy or incompetent.

He is a bit awkward when it comes to dancing.

Il est un peu infirme quand il s'agit de danser.

Can be used pejoratively to criticize a performance.

That match was weak; there was no energy.

Ce match était infirme, il n'y avait pas d'énergie.