debilitate /dɪˈbɪlɪˌteɪt/ TEM8 ( debilitating, debilitated, debilitates )

• 1. 

  V-T If you are debilitated by something such as an illness, it causes your body or mind to become gradually weaker. 虚弱 [正式] [usu passive]

  例：

  Stewart took over yesterday when Russell was debilitated by a stomach virus.

  昨天因拉塞尔患有肠炎身体变得虚弱，斯图尔特已经接管了他的工作。

• 2. 

  debilitating ADJ

  例：

  ...a debilitating illness.

  ...一种使人慢慢衰竭的疾病。

• 3. 

  V-T To debilitate an organization, society, or government means to gradually make it weaker. 逐步削弱 [正式]

  例：

  ...their efforts to debilitate the political will of the Western alliance.

  ... 他们努力去逐步削弱西方国家联盟的政治意愿。

• 4. 

  debilitating ADJ

  例：

  ...years of debilitating economic crisis.

  ... 多年逐步衰弱的经济危机。