@contrex,
I'm on really shaky ground here, because i don't speak any form of Chinese. But their system of writing has resulted in many words which are combinations of other words, so i suspect that they are used to having many examples of a single word which can only be expressed in English by more than one word.
@PennyChan,
The word is DODDERY.
Oxford Dictionary definition.
"slow and unsteady in movement because of weakness in old age"
@eurocelticyankee,
Took the old cruciverbalist to find it!
Doddering is the best single word for old and frail? Aw, come on. No one would say. "His wife is very spry, but her husband is doddering?" NOoooooo. That sounds like the husband dodders. Better: "He is a doddering, old man." But, some young people dodder, too, should they have a sore and aching back.
I had a friend ask me once, "I won't ever get OLD old, will I? Suppose I should answer," Yeah, you'll get old but, hopefully, you won't dodder."
@PennyChan,
Quote:Is there a single word to describe 'aged and frail'?
No, there are several, are you infirm?
@Setanta,
Quote:But their system of writing has resulted in many words which are combinations of other words,
We do the same thing in English with words like "sexting" and "frenemies".
I think the correct word would be "Frailderly".
@maxdancona,
maxdancona wrote:
Quote:But their system of writing has resulted in many words which are combinations of other words,
We do the same thing in English with words like "sexting" and "frenemies".
I think the correct word would be "Frailderly".
Hey, perfect. I was next to say "Frold."
