First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1faint
adjective \ˈfānt\
: not clearly seen, heard, tasted, felt, etc.
: very slight or small
: weak and dizzy
Full Definition of FAINT
1
: lacking courage and spirit : cowardly <faint of heart>
2
: weak, dizzy, and likely to faint
3
: lacking strength or vigor : performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly <faint praise>
4
: producing a sensation of faintness : oppressive <the faint atmosphere of a tropical port>
5
— faint·ish \ˈfān-tish\ adjective
— faint·ish·ness noun
— faint·ly adverb
— faint·ness noun
See faint defined for English-language learners
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Origin of FAINT
Middle English faint, feint, from Anglo-French, from past participle of feindre, faindre to feign, lose heart — more at feign
Related to FAINT
2faint
verb
: to suddenly become unconscious
Full Definition of FAINT
intransitive verb
1
archaic : to lose courage or spirit
2
archaic : to become weak
3
: to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
See faint defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FAINT
14th century
Related to FAINT
- Synonyms
- black out, conk (out), keel (over), pass out, swoon
- Antonyms
- come around, come round, come to, revive
3faint
noun
Definition of FAINT
First Known Use of FAINT
1792
FAINT[1] Defined for Kids
1faint
adjective \ˈfānt\
faint·erfaint·est
Definition of FAINT for Kids
1
: not clear or plain : dim <faint handwriting>
2
: weak or dizzy and likely to collapse <I feel faint.>
3
: lacking strength <a faint attempt> <a faint breeze>
— faint·ly adverb
— faint·ness noun
2faint
verb
faint·edfaint·ing
Definition of FAINT for Kids
: to suddenly lose consciousness
3faint
noun
Definition of FAINT for Kids
: an act or condition of suddenly losing consciousness
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