noun, plural in·fir·ma·ries. a place for the care of the infirm , sick, or injured; hospital or facility serving as a hospital: a school infirmary. a dispensary.
Origin of infirmary First recorded in
1425–75; late Middle English word from
Medieval Latin word
infirmāria. See
infirm ,
-ary Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for infirmary Contemporary Examples of infirmary The captain replied, “Well, he was a mess, so the first thing we did was get him to the infirmary to get him cleaned up.”
He can barely make out what the woman in the infirmary is saying.
She remained in the infirmary after returning to jail, and Carter declined to elaborate on the nature of her medical condition.
Historical Examples of infirmary The infirmary seems to have been the most cheerful place in the monastery.
I got out of the vehicle with the infirmary attendant and his assistant.
He was taken into the infirmary , and when there he had confessed everything.
She was so delicate, so frequently ill, that she was employed in the infirmary .
Ferguson went to the infirmary and Grayson went to the Commandant's office.
British Dictionary definitions for infirmary noun plural -ries a place for the treatment of the sick or injured; dispensary; hospital
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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 infirmary n. mid-15c., "sick bay in a monastery," from Medieval Latin infirmaria "a place for the infirm," from Latin infirmus "weak, frail," (see infirm ). The common name for a public hospital in 18c. England.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
n. A place for the care of the infirm, sick, or injured, especially a small hospital or clinic in an institution or school.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
