Definition of imbecile

competent Definition: (adjective) having the skill and knowledge needed for a particular task; capable Petersons.com

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< imbalance

imbecility >

im·be·cile    (mb-sl, -sl) KEY  

NOUN:

1. A stupid or silly person; a dolt.
2. A person whose mental acumen is well below par.
3. A person of moderate to severe mental retardation having a mental age of from three to seven years and generally being capable of some degree of communication and performance of simple tasks under supervision. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.

ADJECTIVE:
also im·be·cil·ic   (mb-slk) KEY  

1. Stupid; silly.
2. Well below par in mental acumen.

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ETYMOLOGY:
From obsolete French imbécille, weak, feeble, from Old French, from Latin imbcillus : in-, not ; see in- ¹ + possibly bacillum, staff, diminutive of baculum, rod; see bak- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
imbe·cile·ly (Adverb)

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