weakness

noun

Etymology: From Middle English wayknesse, weykenesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”). Equivalent to weak + -ness.

1. The condition of being weak.

   “Near-synonyms: debility, frailty, vulnerability; vincibility”

   “In a small number of horses, muscle weakness may progress to paralysis.”

2. An inadequate quality; fault.

   “His inability to speak in front of an audience was his weakness.”

   “The only weakness in her plan was its reliance on the electricity being up and running.”

3. A special fondness or obsessing desire.

   “She is an athlete who has a weakness for chocolate.”