Im"be*cile (?), a. [L. imbecillis, and imbecillus; of unknown origin: cf. F. imbécile.] Destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; esp., mentally wea; feeble-minded; as, hospitals for the imbecile and insane.

Syn. -- Weak; feeble; feeble-minded; idiotic.

Im"be*cile, n. One destitute of strength; esp., one of feeble mind.

Im"be*cile, v. t. To weaken; to make imbecile; as, to imbecile men's courage. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

• fool
  
• A person with limited mental capacity who can perform tasks and think only like a young child (not commonly used today)