Epithet for the beginnings of infirmity, lowness, lassitude (3)

I believe the answer is:

ill

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'epithet for' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'beginnings of infirmity lowness lassitude' is the wordplay.
'beginnings of' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'infirmity lowness lassitude' is 'ILL'.

'the' is the link.

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(Other definitions for ill that I've seen before include "Harmful" , "Not in the pink" , "Dicky" , "Ailing" , "Where Chicagoans are briefly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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