[ad. late L. ēnervātiōn-em, f. ēnervāre (see ENERVATE v.).]
† 1. = L. enervatio, used as transl. of Gr. ἀπονεύρωσις in transl. Galen De Loc. Aff. i. 6. (See quot. 1751). Obs.
1578. Banister, Hist. Man, IV. 47. A broad Membraneous eneruation.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., The fibres of the recti of the abdomen … are intersected by several nervous places, called by the antients, enervations: though they be real tendons.
2. The action of enervating; the state of being enervated: see ENERVATE v.
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (1878), 219. The enervation and evasion of her adversaries intention.
1597. Bacon, Coulers Good & Evill, i. (Arb.), 140. This couler or melioritie and preheminence is oft a signe of enervation and weakenesse.
1639. Cade, Serm. Necess. for these Times, App. 36. An enervation or dissolution of good laws.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 207. To the final destruction and enervation of the Estates of the same Incumbents.
a. 1718. Penn, Tracts, Wks. 1726, I. 485. An Enervation of the Romanist’s Faith.
1849. Grote, Greece, VI. II. xlvii. 25. A love for knowledge without enervation of character.
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, xiv. (1879), 177. The luscious softness of the Italian airs overcame me with a delicious enervation.
