valetudinarian

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person of weak or sickly health, especially one excessively preoccupied with personal ailments

   The habitual valetudinarian discussed every minor symptom at dinner.

2. 2
   adj

   sickly, infirm, or excessively concerned with health

   His valetudinarian habits kept him indoors whenever the weather changed.

From valetudinary + -an, ultimately from Latin valetudinarius, 'sickly,' based on valetudo, 'state of health or ill health,' and valere, 'to be strong or well.' English usage gave the health word an ironically sickly emphasis.

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