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maladif

sickly

adjective mah-lah-DEEF Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Origin: From 'maladie' (illness) + suffix '-if', meaning 'prone to illness'.

Also means

morbid

Usage Note

Maladif describes someone who is chronically prone to illness or who looks constitutionally frail. It also extends to describe an obsessive, unhealthy fixation — une jalousie maladive (a morbid jealousy). The feminine form is maladive. It is stronger than fragile and implies a persistent, ingrained weakness.

Examples

"Cet enfant est d'une fragilité maladive."

Natural Translation

This child has a sickly frailty.

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