feint

American  

[feynt] / feɪnt /

noun

1. a movement made in order to deceive an adversary; an attack aimed at one place or point merely as a distraction from the real place or point of attack.

   military feints; the feints of a skilled fencer.

2. a feigned or assumed appearance.

   His air of approval was a feint to conceal his real motives.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to make a feint.

   He feinted left, then struck his opponent with a roar.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a feint at; deceive with a feint.

2. to make a false show of; simulate.

feint ¹ British  

/ feɪnt /

noun

1. a mock attack or movement designed to distract an adversary, as in a military manoeuvre or in boxing, fencing, etc

2. a misleading action or appearance

---

verb

1. (intr) to make a feint

feint ² British  

/ feɪnt /

noun

1. printing the narrowest rule used in the production of ruled paper

---

Etymology

Origin of feint

First recorded in 1670–80; from French feinte, from Old French feinte “fabrication,” noun use of feminine of feint “pretended,” past participle of feindre; feign

Example Sentences

He cites improvements in "footwork, defence, staying calm on fight night", adding that experience has allowed him to put combinations, body work and feints together more naturally.

From BBC

Again, no storming, no lunging, not even a feint.

From Los Angeles Times

The narrative is less sucker punch than brilliant feints and jabs.

From Los Angeles Times

In these situations, he would carry his team upfield using deceptive feints to create space from opponents pressing him.

From BBC

After throwing a few early feints to get a read on his opponent, Itauma started to unload and quickly found the range for his heavy hands.

From BBC

Related Words

• ruse