Obs. [ad. Fr. énerver, ad. L. ēnervāre: see ENERVATE v.] = ENERVATE v. in various senses. Hence Enerved, Enerving ppl. adjs.

1

1613.  Zouch, Dove, 28. Like feeble Miloes armes eneru’d, and dead.

2

1644.  Hammond, Loyal Convert, 19. [Their] effeminacies have enerv’d the strength of their declining Kingdoms.

3

a. 1648.  Digby, Lett. conc. Religion, ii. (1651), 18. A fore-laid designe to enerve their authority.

4

1649.  G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. IV., ccvi. Unsteddy doctrines, which attend Ennerved minds.

5

c. 1680.  Earl Dorset, Antiq. Coquette, 62, in Wks. (1779), XI. 203 (R.).

        Age has enerv’d her charms so much
That fearless all her eyes approach.

6

1727.  Arbuthnot, Coins, Ded. Riot … Enerv’d those Arms, that snatch’d the Spoil before.

7

1795–9.  R. Lovell & Southey, Poems, 109. Beware Luxury’s enerving snare.

8

1828.  in Webster.

9

1847.  in Craig; and in mod. Dicts.

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