Word of the Day: ENERVATE

¹ener·vate

adjective \i-ˈnər-vət\

Definition of ENERVATE

:  lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor :  enervated

First Known Use of ENERVATE

1603

²en·er·vate

verb \ˈe-nər-ˌvāt\

: to make (someone or something) very weak or tired

en·er·vat·ed  en·er·vat·ing

Full Definition of ENERVATE

transitive verb

1:  to reduce the mental or moral vigor of

2:  to lessen the vitality or strength of

— en·er·vat·ing·ly adverb

— en·er·va·tion noun

 

Examples of ENERVATE

1. <a lifetime of working in dreary jobs had enervated his very soul>
2. <the surgery really enervated me for weeks afterwards>

Origin of ENERVATE

Latin enervatus, past participle of enervare, from e- + nervus sinew — more at nerve

First Known Use: 1605

Related to ENERVATE

Synonyms

castrate, damp, dampen, deaden, desiccate, devitalize, dehydrate, geld, lobotomize, petrify

Antonyms

brace, energize, enliven, invigorate, quicken, stimulate, vitalize, vivify

en·er·vate

transitive verb \ˈen-ər-ˌvāt\   (Medical Dictionary)

en·er·vat·eden·er·vat·ing

Medical Definition of ENERVATE

1obsolete : to cut the nerves or tendons of

2: to lessen the vitality or strength of <heat enervates people>

—en·er·va·tion noun

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enervate