flaccid

[ flak-sid, flas-id ]

/ ˈflæk sɪd, ˈflæs ɪd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR flaccid ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

soft and limp; not firm; flabby: flaccid biceps.

lacking force; weak: flaccid prose.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

flabbergasted, flabby, flabellate, flabelli-, flabellum, flaccid, flaccidly, flack, flackery, flacon, flacons

Origin of flaccid

1610–20; < Latin flaccidus flabby, equivalent to flacc(ēre) to grow weak, languish + -idus -id⁴

Related formsflac·cid·i·ty, flac·cid·ness, nounflac·cid·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for flaccidity

Loss of consciousness was followed by flaccidity of all four extremities, hyperpyrexia, and death.
Tics and Their Treatment|Henry Meigne
Besides, inquiries concerning the health of cow-punchers were not only superfluous, but bordered on flaccidity.
Heart of the West|O. Henry
Besides, inquiries concerning the health of cow- punchers were not only superfluous, but bordered on flaccidity.
Heart of the West|O. Henry
It sank, excused for the flaccidity by Nataly's want of common adventurous daring.
One of Our Conquerors, Complete|George Meredith

Nor need we fear that the result of this would be any flaccidity of conviction, or lethargy in act.
On Compromise|John Morley

British Dictionary definitions for flaccidity

flaccid

/ (ˈflæksɪd, ˈflæs-) /

adjective

lacking firmness; soft and limp; flabby

Derived Formsflaccidity or flaccidness, nounflaccidly, adverb

Word Origin for flaccid

C17: from Latin flaccidus, from flaccus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for flaccidity

flaccid

adj.

1610s, from French flaccide or directly from Latin flaccidus "flabby," from flaccus "flabby, flap-eared," of uncertain origin (OED suggests it's imitative). Related: Flaccidly; flaccidity.

Medicine definitions for flaccidity

flaccid

[ flăs′sĭd, flăk′ĭd ]

adj.

Lacking firmness, resilience, or muscle tone.

Related formsflac•cid′i•ty (-sĭd′ĭ-tē) n.