Skip to content

Table of Contents

The word for today is…

enervate (adjective, verb):

adjective
: lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor

verb
1: to reduce the mental or moral vigor of
2: to lessen the vitality or strength of

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : Enervate and innervate are pronounced in a very similar manner and share the Latin root nervus (meaning "sinew"), but they are distinct in meaning. Enervate (as a verb) means "to lessen the vitality or strength of," while innervate means "to supply with nerves." Enervate has the twin misfortune of sharing a beginning with energize and an ending with invigorate, causing many people to assume that it must overlap with these two words in meaning. However, it is roughly the opposite, meaning "to lessen the vitality or strength of." This is a common mistake, but has not yet become so common as to be accepted. Enervate can function as an adjective, with the meaning of "lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor." An example of such adjectival use can be found in the poem Ode to Drowshood, by Charles G. D. Roberts: "In fervid sunshine, where the Javan palm stirs, scarce awakened from its odorous calm by the enervate wind…."

If you enjoyed this Good Oil word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

Latest

And So Failure Becomes Proof

And So Failure Becomes Proof

If we genuinely want a society that flourishes, the answer is not racial division, grievance politics, or endless attempts to save people from themselves. The answer is much older, much simpler, and far more powerful.

Members Public