Asthenia

Definition: want of strength, weakness, feebleness, sickness

Pronunciation: as-THE-nia

Origin

Dating back to 1802 Modern Latin, asthenia stems from sthenos, the Latin word for strength and the privative affix a meaning negation or a lack.

Why this word?

On too many occasions writers find themselves intrigued by their own situation and turn to writing about it. As much as calling myself a writer may be a slight exaggeration, I do find it easier writing about something of any relevance.

Dwelling around the house on a sunny Saturday, slightly weakened but not yet sick (hopefully tomorrow will bring an improvement rather than further asthenia!) what else can I write about but sickness synonyms?

There is however, a bit more to my choice of this word. Listen to it- asthenia- it’s beautiful! Sounds absolutely nothing like what it represents. If anyone came up to me saying “I saw the most beautiful asthenia in a little shop down the street” I’d imagine a gorgeous silk scarf! Or if someone said “I just bought an amazing bouquet of Asthenias!” I’d wonder how it is that I’ve never heard about these flowers before.

But no. Its weakness. Sickness. No pretty. At all.

How to use the word asthenia in a sentence?

Asthenia is a noun describing a feeling of weakness and sickness. Do not use it as quoted above- that’s for sure!

“I really don’t feel like going out tonight… I have a terrible asthenia”.

“I’m telling you- her middle name should be asthenia! She is always to weak or too sick to do anything!”