infirmity

This term carries a heavy connotation of fragility and decline, often evoking a sense of helplessness or inevitable decay. While it can describe a specific ailment, it more frequently refers to a general state of being frail, particularly in the context of geriatric health or long-term chronic illness. When applied to character or spirit, the word shifts from a medical sense to a moral one, suggesting a structural flaw or a lack of fortitude. In this capacity, it describes a vulnerability to temptation or a failure of will rather than a physical disability.