DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 weak·en /ˈwikən/
 (vt.)削弱,減弱,使稀薄(vi.)變弱,變軟弱

 Weak·en v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weakened p. pr. & vb. n. Weakening.]
 1. To make weak; to lessen the strength of; to deprive of strength; to debilitate; to enfeeble; to enervate; as, to weaken the body or the mind; to weaken the hands of a magistrate; to weaken the force of an objection or an argument.
    Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.   --Neh. vi. 9.
 2. To reduce in quality, strength, or spirit; as, to weaken tea; to weaken any solution or decoction.

 Weak·en, v. i. To become weak or weaker; to lose strength, spirit, or determination; to become less positive or resolute; as, the patient weakened; the witness weakened on cross-examination.  “His notion weakens, his discernings are lethargied.”
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 weaken
      v 1: lessen the strength of; "The fever weakened his body" [ant:
           strengthen]
      2: become weaker; "The prisoner's resistance weakened after
         seven days" [ant: strengthen]
      3: destroy property or hinder normal operations; "The
         Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war"
         [syn: sabotage, undermine, countermine, counteract,
          subvert]
      4: reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of;
         "de-escalate a crisis" [syn: de-escalate, step down]
         [ant: escalate]
      5: lessen in force or effect; "soften a shock"; "break a fall"
         [syn: dampen, damp, soften, break]