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Joined: Jan 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
I guess O.Henry is coining words. He is describing a man apparently with far advanced tuberculosis, and describes him as "debile". Not in dictionary, except as botanical epithet, meaning weak, feeble, etc.
"So, then, it was no surprise to the ranchhold when the buckboard spun to the door, and Raidler took up his debile protege like a handful of rags and set him down upon the gallery."
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Debile adj. Weak, feeble, suffering from debility.
OED First cite 1536, last 1890
The D volume was done from 1893-1897
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