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Dunce vs Imbecile - What's the difference?

dunce | imbecile | Related terms |

Dunce is a related term of imbecile.


As nouns the difference between dunce and imbecile

is that dunce is one backward in book learning; a child or other person dull or weak in intellect; a dullard; a dolt while imbecile is (obsolete) a person with limited (l) (l) who can perform (l) and think only like a young child, in medical circles meaning a person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal five to seven-year-old child.

As an adjective imbecile is

(dated) destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; especially, mentally weak.

dunce

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One backward in book learning; a child or other person dull or weak in intellect; a dullard; a dolt.

    • Derived terms

    * * * * *

    References

    imbecile

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A person with limited (l) (l) who can perform (l) and think only like a young child, in medical circles meaning a person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal five to seven-year-old child.
  • (pejorative) A .

    • Usage notes

    * In modern times, “imbecile” is often used in (l) (l).

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * imbecilic (adjective) * imbecility (noun)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (dated) Destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; especially, mentally weak.
    • hospitals for the imbecile and insane