weaken (wekn)

[ Somewhat to woken [var. wayken ] gan the peyne By leng the of pleynte. Chaucer , Troilus, iv. 1144. His notion weakens , his discern ings IMG:content-2166.png:[blocks in formation] or inefficacious; inadequate or unsatisfactory; incapable; weakener (wēk'nėr), n. One who or that which weakens. weakener Fastings and mortifications,... rightly managed, are huge helps to piety, [and] great weakners of sin. South, Sermons, VI. 11.