I.not strong, weak, feeble.
I. Lit.: “viribus infirmis,” Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 43, § 95: “valetudo,” id. Brut. 48, 180: “classis inops et infirma,” Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 33, § 86: “valetudo infirmissima,” id. de Or. 1, 45. —Hence, infirm, indisposed, sick: “sum admodum infirmus,” Cic. Ac. 1, 4, 14; Plin. Ep. 7, 26: “pecus,” i. e. sheep, Ov. Ib. 44: “lumen solis,” weak, feeble, Luc. 5, 545: “infirmior est panis ex polline,” less nourishing, Cels. 2, 18: “infirmissimus cibarius panis,” id. ib.: “saporis vinum,” Col. 3, 7: “infirmissimae arbores,” Plin. 17, 24, 37, § 217: “nervi,” weak, id. 23, 2, 28, § 59: “civitas exigua et infirma,” Caes. B. G. 7, 17.—With ad: “infirmi ad resistendum,” Caes. B. C. 3, 9, 3: “infirmior ad haec omnia,” Plin. 36, 20, 37, § 145.—With adversus: “fama, infirmissimum adversus viros fortes telum,” Curt. 4, 14.— In neutr. pl. subst.: infirma , ōrum, the weak parts: “lineae,” Plin. 9, 43, 67, § 145.—
II. Trop., weak in mind or character, superstitious, pusillanimous, inconstant, light-minded: “tenuis atque infirmi haec animi videri,” Caes. B. C. 1, 32: “quippe minuti Semper et infirmi est animi voluptas ultio,” Juv. 13, 190: “sum paulo infirmior,” Hor. S. 1, 9, 71: “quorum concursu terrentur infirmiores,” Caes. B. C. 1, 3, 5: “homines infirmissimi,” very uncertain, not to be depended on, Col. 3, 10, 6.—Of things, of no weight or consequence, weak, trivial, inconclusive: “omnino ad probandum utraque res infirma et nugatoria est,” Cic. Caecin. 23, 64: “quod apud omnes leve et infirmum est,” id. Rosc. Com. 2, 6: “cautiones,” id. Fam. 7, 18: “infirmiore vinculo (amicitiae) contrahi,” Liv. 7, 30, 2. —Hence, advv.
A. Form infirmē .
1. Weakly, faintly, not strongly, not very: “infirme animatus,” Cic. Fam. 15, 1, 3. — Of speech, feebly, without vigor of expression: “jejune et infirme,” Plin. Ep. 1, 20, 21.—
2. Weak-mindedly, superstitiously: “tonitrua et fulgura paulo infirmius expavescebat,” Suet. Aug. 9. —
