bodily weakness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bodily weakness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of physical strength or vitality, often in a medical or health-related context. Example: "After the illness, she experienced significant bodily weakness that made it difficult for her to perform daily tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

No one nowadays — with the possible exception of Giuliani himself — thinks of the Mayor as the physical embodiment of the law, but it is nonetheless a curious reversal for a leader to make a public display of his bodily weakness, even if he's been advised to do so by his divorce lawyer.

The New Yorker

For example, arguing it as emblematic of the putative carnality of Jewish women as delineated in Christian texts, Sara Lipton cites the harrowing story out of Boccaccio (originally from Josephus) of a woman, who in her hunger during Titus's siege of Jerusalem was "motivated by bodily weakness and uncontrollable impulse" to kill, roast, and eat her own son who had been sucking at her breast.

Johns Hopkins University

The main adverse events observed in this study were bodily weakness and drowsiness and vomiting of drugs (18.9%).

Plosone

Adverse events such as drowsiness, general bodily weakness and vomiting of drugs may be concern for using SP +AQ for IPTc.

Plosone

Physical fatigue is a bodily weakness that can occur because of repetitive muscle activity.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

About 25% knew that organ donation could be associated with all of bodily weakness, infection, bleeding, pain, anxiety and depression.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We are, instead, the servants of debt, of global forces we barely comprehend, let alone master, of dimly known internal desires and frailties, of bodily weaknesses and communal guilt, of location and environment.

Huffington Post

(I had momentarily succumbed to bodily and spiritual weakness, a feeling that I would not be able to return to my life as I've known it).

Huffington Post

Vision problems, fatigue, dizziness, difficulty in muscle coordination and losing strength, uncontrolled bodily functions, and weakness of limbs are the symptoms of the disease and they cannot easily be predicted.

BioMed Research International

"No matter how they had died, I was to write 'heart attack' or 'bodily weakness' for the cause of death," he said.

The New York Times

There, he wrote, "an old man a few hours before his death told me that he had passed a hundred years, and that he did not feel any bodily deficiency, other than weakness.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical conditions or symptoms, use "bodily weakness" to clearly and directly convey a lack of physical strength. For example: "The patient reported significant "bodily weakness" following the surgery."

Common error

Avoid using "bodily weakness" when describing mental or emotional fatigue. "Bodily weakness" specifically refers to a physical lack of strength. Use terms like "mental fatigue" or "cognitive exhaustion" to describe mental states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bodily weakness" primarily functions as a noun phrase, designating a state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and widely used to denote a lack of physical strength or vitality. Examples in Ludwig show its application in both general and medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

39%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bodily weakness" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a lack of physical strength or vitality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, its usage spans various contexts, including science, news, and academic writing. It's important to distinguish it from mental fatigue and use it accurately to describe physical conditions. Consider synonyms like "physical frailty" or "lack of physical strength" depending on the nuance you want to convey. When writing about medical conditions or symptoms, this phrase works effectively and accurately to convey a lack of physical strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physical frailty

Replaces "bodily" with "physical" and "weakness" with "frailty", focusing on the state of being frail.

physical debility

Substitutes "weakness" with "debility", indicating a state of being weak or infirm.

lack of physical strength

Rephrases the concept as an absence of physical strength, making it more explicit.

general malaise

Indicates a feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify, but the general cause is a "bodily weakness".

loss of vigor

Focuses on the reduction of energy and vitality.

decreased physical capacity

Highlights the diminished ability to perform physical activities.

reduced physical endurance

Emphasizes the inability to sustain physical exertion for an extended period.

enervation

Describes a feeling of being drained of energy and vitality.

asthenia

Medical term indicating a lack of strength.

bodily enfeeblement

This option replaces the word weakness with enfeeblement, which means the state of being weak or feeble.

FAQs

What does "bodily weakness" mean?

"Bodily weakness" refers to a state of lacking physical strength or energy. It can be caused by various factors, including illness, malnutrition, or overexertion.

What are some synonyms for "bodily weakness"?

Synonyms for "bodily weakness" include "physical frailty", "physical debility", and "lack of physical strength".

How is "bodily weakness" different from "fatigue"?

"Bodily weakness" specifically indicates a lack of physical strength, while "fatigue" refers to a state of tiredness or exhaustion, which can be either physical or mental. Fatigue may or may not be accompanied by a noticeable "bodily weakness".

When is it appropriate to use the term "bodily weakness" in a medical context?

The term "bodily weakness" is appropriate in medical contexts when describing a patient's physical condition, particularly when assessing their muscle strength, endurance, or overall physical capacity. It's often used in patient reports, medical records, and discussions among healthcare professionals.