Describing someone who has anaemia, or metaphorically describing something that lacks strength, vitality, or color.
From Greek ana- (without) + haima (blood) + -ic (relating to). The medical adjective evolved to metaphorically describe anything appearing weak or lifeless.
Beyond medicine, 'anaemic' is a great insult for something boring—like 'that movie had an anaemic plot' means it was weak and lifeless. The British use this metaphor all the time to describe anything that's supposed to have energy but doesn't!
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