forcible-feeble

1 definition found

forcible-feeble - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Forcible-feeble \For"ci*ble-fee`ble\, a. [From Feeble, a
     character in the Second Part of Shakespeare's "King Henry
     IV.," to whom Falstaff derisively applies the epithet
     "forcible."]
     Seemingly vigorous, but really weak or insipid.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           He [Prof. Ayton] would purge his book of much offensive
           matter, if he struck out epithets which are in the bad
           taste of the forcible-feeble school.     --N. Brit.
                                                    Review.
     [1913 Webster]