"characterized by debility, weak," 1788, from Latinized form of Greek asthenikos, asthenes "weak, without strength, feeble" (see asthenia).
Entries linking to asthenic
asthenia n.
"weakness, debility," 1788, medical Latin, from Greek astheneia "want of strength, weakness, feebleness, sickness; a sickness, a disease," from asthenes "weak, without strength, feeble," from a- "not, without" (see a- (3)) + sthenos "strength, power, ability, might," which is of uncertain origin, perhaps from PIE root *segh- "to have, hold," on the notion of "steadfastness, toughness."