THE FIRST WORD

anemic

PRONUNCIATION:

(uh-NEEM-ik) 

MEANING:

adjective:
1. Lacking vitality, strength, or colorfulness.
2. Suffering from anemia.

ETYMOLOGY:

From anemia (a condition in which one has a reduced number of red blood cells or hemoglobin), from Greek an- (without) + haima (blood). Earliest documented use: 1839. The word anemiousis entirely different.

USAGE:

"You don't have much of a life ... you have to admit your social life is a bit anemic."
Robin Kaye; Wild Thing; Sourcebooks; 2011.