Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

faints

or feints

[feynts]
noun (used with a plural verb)
  1. the impure spirit produced in the first and last stages of the distillation of whiskey.
Show More
Compare foreshots.

Origin of faints

1735–45; noun use (in plural) of faint (adj.)

faint

[feynt]
adjective, faint·er, faint·est.
  1. lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc.: a faint light; a faint color; a faint sound.
  2. feeble or slight: faint resistance; faint praise; a faint resemblance.
  3. feeling weak, dizzy, or exhausted; about to lose consciousness: faint with hunger.
  4. lacking courage; cowardly; timorous: Faint heart never won fair maid.
  5. Law. unfounded: a faint action.
Show More
verb (used without object)
  1. to lose consciousness temporarily.
  2. to lose brightness.
  3. Archaic. to grow weak; lose spirit or courage.
Show More
noun
  1. a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from a decreased flow of blood to the brain; a swoon: to fall into a faint.
Show More

Origin of faint

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of faindre, variant of feindre to feign
Related formsfaint·er, nounfaint·ing·ly, adverbfaint·ish, adjectivefaint·ish·ness, nounfaint·ly, adverbfaint·ness, nouno·ver·faint, adjectiveo·ver·faint·ly, adverbo·ver·faint·ness, nounun·faint·ing, adjectiveun·faint·ly, adverb
Can be confusedfain faint feign feint

Synonyms

1. indistinct, ill-defined, dim, faded, dull, 2. faltering, irresolute, weak. 3. languid. 4. pusillanimous, fearful, timid, dastardly. 6. pass out, black out.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

dimremotedullslightinaudibleweakhazysoothinggentlemilddistantmuffledfar-offsoftvaguedelicatemutedstifledswoonsuccumb

Examples from the Web for faints

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for faints

faints

pl n
  1. a variant spelling of feints
Show More

faint

adjective
  1. lacking clarity, brightness, volume, etca faint noise
  2. lacking conviction or force; weakfaint praise
  3. feeling dizzy or weak as if about to lose consciousness
  4. without boldness or courage; timid (esp in the combination faint-hearted)
  5. not the faintest, not the faintest idea or not the faintest notion no idea whatsoeverI haven't the faintest
Show More
verb (intr)
  1. to lose consciousness, esp momentarily, as through weakness
  2. archaic, or poetic to fail or become weak, esp in hope or courage
Show More
noun
  1. a sudden spontaneous loss of consciousness, usually momentary, caused by an insufficient supply of blood to the brainTechnical name: syncope
Show More
Derived Formsfainter, nounfaintingly, adverbfaintish, adjectivefaintishness, nounfaintly, adverbfaintness, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French, from faindre to be idle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for faints

faint

adj.

c.1300, "wanting in courage," now mostly in faint-hearted (mid-15c.), from Old French feint "soft, weak, sluggish," past participle of feindre "hesitate, falter, be indolent, show weakness, avoid one's duty by pretending" (see feign). Sense of "weak, feeble" is early 14c. Meaning "producing a feeble impression upon the senses" is from 1650s.

Show More

faint

v.

"grow weak" (c.1300); "lose heart" (mid-14c.); see faint (adj.). Sense of "swoon" is c.1400. Related: Fainted; fainting.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
faints in Medicine

faint

(fānt)
n.
  1. An abrupt, usually brief loss of consciousness; an attack of syncope.
Show More
adj.
  1. Extremely weak; threatened with syncope.
Show More
Related formsfaint v.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with faints

faint

see damn with faint praise.

Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.