weakness

From Middle English weykenesse; equivalent to weak +‎ -ness.

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• IPA^(key): /ˈwiːk.nəs/

weakness (countable and uncountable, plural weaknesses)

1. (uncountable) The condition of being weak.

   In a small number of horses, muscle weakness may progress to paralysis.

2. (countable) An inadequate quality; fault
   • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 20, in The China Governess‎:

     The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.

   • 2013 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4)”, in BBC:

     Bradford had preyed on Villa's inability to defend set pieces, corners in particular, in their first-leg win and took advantage of the weakness again as Hanson equalised to restore their two-goal aggregate lead.

   His inability to speak in front of an audience was his weakness.

3. (countable) A special fondness or desire.

   She is an athlete who has a weakness for chocolate.

• (condition of being weak): vulnerability, vincibility, powerlessness
• (fault): fault, defect

• (condition of being weak): strength, durability, invincibility, powerfulness
• (fault): strength, forte

• weakness in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• weakness in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.