VALETUDINARIAN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does valetudinarian mean? 

• VALETUDINARIAN (noun)
  The noun VALETUDINARIAN has 1 sense:

1. weak or sickly person especially one morbidly concerned with his or her health

  Familiarity information: VALETUDINARIAN used as a noun is very rare.

• VALETUDINARIAN (adjective)
  The adjective VALETUDINARIAN has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to or characteristic of a person who is a valetudinarian

  Familiarity information: VALETUDINARIAN used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VALETUDINARIAN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Weak or sickly person especially one morbidly concerned with his or her health

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("valetudinarian" is a kind of...):

diseased person; sick person; sufferer (a person suffering from an illness)

Derivation:

valetudinarian (of or relating to or characteristic of a person who is a valetudinarian)

• VALETUDINARIAN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or characteristic of a person who is a valetudinarian

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

valetudinarian; valetudinary

Pertainym:

valetudinarian (weak or sickly person especially one morbidly concerned with his or her health)

Derivation:

valetudinarian (weak or sickly person especially one morbidly concerned with his or her health)

 Context examples 

The evil of the actual disparity in their ages (and Mr. Woodhouse had not married early) was much increased by his constitution and habits; for having been a valetudinarian all his life, without activity of mind or body, he was a much older man in ways than in years; and though everywhere beloved for the friendliness of his heart and his amiable temper, his talents could not have recommended him at any time.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)