Day74: The Economist's daily word foxless

feckless

英 [ˈfekləs] 美 [ˈfɛklɪs]

■ Economist example sentences

(1) The president is far from being the feckless wuss portrayed by his critics.

(2) The parts of the planet that have become rich have done so by tapping a vast store of fossil energy with feckless, if understandable, abandon.

■ Interpretation

[adjective] Lacking initiative or strength of character lacks agency or personality strength

■ Interpretation

The word Feckless at first glance indicates the lack of "feck", so what is this "feck"? Feck is a Scottish word that is similar to effect. Then the lack of "feck" can mean weakness, incompetence, ineffectiveness, worthlessness, uselessness, irresponsibility, etc. Feckless is actually a fairly common word, and it should be distinguished from reckless (reckless, careless, reckless).

■ Synonyms

useless, irresponsible, incompetent