Well, Doris, I'm inclined to think that we have different words to
designate different meanings, unless they are synonymous, which is not
so in the case of "weak" and "meek". The following two definitions are
from Webster [1913] and clearly refer to two very different states:
Meek \Meek\ (m[=e]k), a. [Compar. Meeker (m[=e]k"[~e]r);
superl. Meekest.] [OE. mek, meoc; akin to Icel. mj[=u]kr
mild, soft, Sw. mjuk, Dan. myg, D. muik, Goth. mukam[=o]dei
gentleness.]
1. Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient
under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful;
forbearing; submissive.
[1913 Webster]
Now the man Moses was very meek. --Num. xii. 3.
[1913 Webster]
2. Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by
mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face. "Her
meek prayer." --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Gentle; mild; soft; yielding; pacific; unassuming;
humble. See Gentle.
[1913 Webster] Meek
http://freedictionary.org/?Query=meek&button=Search
Weak \Weak\ (w[=e]k), a. [Compar. Weaker (w[=e]k"[~e]r);
superl. Weakest.] [OE. weik, Icel. veikr; akin to Sw. vek,
Dan. veg soft, flexible, pliant, AS. w[=a]c weak, soft,
pliant, D. week, G. weich, OHG. weih; all from the verb seen
in Icel. v[imac]kja to turn, veer, recede, AS. w[imac]can to
yield, give way, G. weichen, OHG. w[imac]hhan, akin to Skr.
vij, and probably to E. week, L. vicis a change, turn, Gr.
e'i`kein to yield, give way. [root]132. Cf. Week, Wink,
v. i. Vicissitude.]
Not possessing or manifesting intellectual, logical,
moral, or political strength, vigor, etc. Specifically:
[1913 Webster]
(a) Feeble of mind; wanting discernment; lacking vigor;
spiritless; as, a weak king or magistrate.
[1913 Webster]
To think every thing disputable is a proof of a
weak mind and captious temper. --Beattie.
[1913 Webster]
Origen was never weak enough to imagine that
there were two Gods. --Waterland.
[1913 Webster]
(b) Resulting from, or indicating, lack of judgment,
discernment, or firmness; unwise; hence, foolish.
[1913 Webster]
If evil thence ensue,
She first his weak indulgence will accuse.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
(c) Not having full confidence or conviction; not decided
or confirmed; vacillating; wavering.
[1913 Webster]
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but
not to doubtful disputations. --Rom. xiv. 1.
[1913 Webster]
(d) Not able to withstand temptation, urgency, persuasion,
etc.; easily impressed, moved, or overcome;
accessible; vulnerable; as, weak resolutions; weak
virtue.
[1913 Webster]
Guard thy heart
On this weak side, where most our nature fails.
--Addison.
[1913 Webster]
(e) Wanting in power to influence or bind; as, weak ties;
a weak sense of honor of duty.
[1913 Webster]
(f) Not having power to convince; not supported by force
of reason or truth; unsustained; as, a weak argument
or case. "Convinced of his weak arguing." --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
A case so weak . . . hath much persisted in.
--Hooker.
[1913 Webster]
(g) Wanting in point or vigor of expression; as, a weak
sentence; a weak style.
[1913 Webster]
(h) Not prevalent or effective, or not felt to be
prevalent; not potent; feeble. "Weak prayers." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
(i) Lacking in elements of political strength; not
wielding or having authority or energy; deficient in
the resources that are essential to a ruler or nation;
as, a weak monarch; a weak government or state.
[1913 Webster]
I must make fair weather yet awhile,
Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
(k) (Stock Exchange) Tending towards lower prices; as, a
weak market.
[1913 Webster]
http://freedictionary.org/?Query=weak&button=Search
On 7 Okt., 21:20, Doris Ragland <[email protected]> wrote:
> weak-as someone being meek
>
> On Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 10:07 AM, frantheman
> <[email protected]>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I have trouble understanding what is meant by the term "weak
> > character." In my experience, it is usually used as a (derogatory)
> > judgement by one person with respect to another.
>
> > Francis
>
> > On 7 Okt., 14:07, rigsy03 <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > I think therapy and related band-aids are a way to justify our weak-
> > > wills. Whether blaming our childhood or Original Sin, it's easier to
> > > construct a drama than admit we were stupid or had a weak character.//
> > > Definitely think most men are stronger than women in muscle strength
> > > (pickle jar test) but God had a sense of humor and divided their
> > > brains for most of their lives allowing women to develop wiles and the
> > > arts of calculation. :-)
>
> > > On Oct 6, 2:59 pm, Matthijs <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > > > (It's called therapy)
>
> > > > On 6 okt, 16:51, Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > > > > Is it possible to force somebody to an action against their will?-
> > Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
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