Also 6–8 weakner. [f. WEAKEN v. + -ER1.] One who or something that weakens.
1589. L. Andrewes, Serm., Lent, i. (1629), 268. If this Ego, be not Saul, but David. David, which giveth strength vnto the Pillers; and not Saul, an empairer or weakner of them.
1694. [S. Bethel], Provid. God (ed. 2), 94. There being no such Traitors to the Strength of a Land, Underminers and Weakners thereof, as are unreformed Provocations.
a. 1716. South, Serm. (1727), VI. xi. 397. Fastings and Mortifications … which … rightly managed, are … great weakners of Sin.
1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit. (1907), I. iii. 35. Averrhoes’ catalogue of Anti-Mnemonics, or weakeners of the memory.
1870. Emerson, Soc. & Sol., viii. (1883), 161. The crowds and centuries of books are only … echoes and weakeners of these few great voices of Time.
