Meaning of Valetudinarian | Babel Free

Definitions

A person in poor health or sickly, especially one who is constantly obsessed with their state of health

Equivalents

Examples

“The most uninformed mind, with a healthy body, is happier than the wisest valetudinarian.”

“The evil of the actual disparity in their ages (and Mr. Woodhouse had not married early) was much increased by his constitution and habits; for having been a valetudinarian all his life, without activity of mind or body, he was a much older man in ways than in years; and though everywhere beloved for the friendliness of his heart and his amiable temper, his talents could not have recommended him at any time.”

“The cuisine, of course, would not be such as would raise water bubbles in the mouth of a valetudinarian; the carnivorous propensity will mostly be gratified by steak which, when cut, will resemble the Mudhook Yacht Club burgee of rouge et noir; and savory soups and luscious salmon will be luxuries only obtainable in "cannister" form.”

“Are you a mere valetudinarian, my dear Ladyship, or some prolific mendicant whose bewitched offspring she hopes I can return to human shape?”

“She affected to be spunky about her ailments and afflictions, but she was in fact an utterly self-centered valetudinarian.”

CEFR level