imbecility

American  

[im-buh-sil-i-tee] / ˌɪm bəˈsɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

imbecilities

1. an instance or point of weakness; feebleness; incapability.

2. stupidity; silliness; absurdity.

3. an instance of stupidity, silliness, or absurdity.

4. Psychology. (no longer in technical use; considered offensive) an intellectual disability, previously classified in a now obsolete rubric of developmental disorders as having a mental age of seven or eight years and an intelligence quotient of 25 to 50.

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Etymology

Origin of imbecility

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English inbecillite, from Middle French imbecil(l)ite and Latin imbēcillitāt-, stem of imbēcillitās “weakness”; see imbecile, -ity

Explanation

Stupid or inane behavior is imbecility. Picture a frat party gone wild, and you can picture imbecility. Foolishness that would be typical of an imbecile is imbecility. Imbecility is from the Latin imbecillitatem, meaning “weakness, feebleness.” If you are feeble of mind or weak on intellect and act accordingly, that is imbecility. For instance, you may have witnessed a college party that was so rife with imbecility that you were amazed that the participants were students in an institution of higher education.

Example Sentences

What sustains me is the indignation that the Imbecility of the Bourgeois affords me!

From The George Sand-Gustave Flaubert Letters by McKenzie, Aimée G. Leffingwel

"Imbecility and madness are usually full of seriousness," Dick told her - "far more so than commonplace rationalism."

From Winding Paths by Page, Gertrude

Imbecility is a condition of mental weakness, which may or may not be as complete as that of idiocy, but is at least such as to incapacitate for the serious duties of life.

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin

From these two shapes of Imbecility one would like to see a delivering Saviour arise.

From Impressions and Comments by Ellis, Havelock

The clear-sighted eye in front of the enlightened brain—there can be no Imbecility then.

From Impressions and Comments by Ellis, Havelock