debilitate
サウジアラビアのアブドラ国王が亡くなったというニュースです。
今回取り上げる単語は"debilitate"です。『Wisdom英和辞典第三版』（三省堂）では「（病気・暑さなどが）（徐々に）（体を）衰弱させる，弱らせる」などという意味がありました。『Genius英和辞典第四版』（大修館）でも同様の訳が使われております。
ODの定義や例文も確認しておきます。
"Make (someone) very weak and infirm"
"He was severely debilitated by a stomach upset"
「胃の不調でとても弱った」という例文ですね。ここで"upset"が使われているのも面白いです。"upset"は，「動揺させる，心配させる」以外にも，「（胃など）の調子を悪くする，（胃などの）不調」という意味があります（『Wisdom英和辞典第三版』（三省堂））。(Ume)
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies
"As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions. One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond," he said.
Abdullah was the 13th of the 37 sons of King Abdulaziz. He is believed to have been born in August 1924 in Riyadh, although there is some dispute about his actual birth date.
When he came to the throne in 2005 he succeeded another half-brother, Fahd.
However, he had already been Saudi Arabia's de-facto leader for 10 years because his predecessor had been debilitated by a stroke.
Correspondents say Abdullah was seen as a reformer at home, albeit a slow and steady one.
He allowed mild criticism of his government in the press, and hinted that more women should be allowed to work.
