valetudinarian

Definition

Sickly, infirm, of ailing health.

Etymology

From valetudinary + -an, from Latin valētūdinārius, from valētūdō (“state of health, health, ill health”), from valeō (“to be strong or well”). By surface analysis, valetude + -in- + -arian.

Example Sentences

• "The virtue which the world wants is a healthful virtue, not a valetudinarian virtue."
• "Mr. Granard became a valetudinarian; he was always applying to some physician or another, perhaps a little to their bewilderment, for no disease was apparent: they knew not that the improvident father feared to die, for the sake of five destitute orphans."
• "The valetudinarian habit of discussing his health had grown on Rose[…]"