Imbecile, a.
Etymology: [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.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Imbecile, n.
One destitute of strength; esp., one of feeble mind.
Imbecile, v. t.
To weaken; to make imbecile; as, to imbecile men's courage. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists imbecile only as an antonym, under astute.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given