feint
[ feynt ]
/ feɪnt /
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noun
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.
a feigned or assumed appearance: His air of approval was a feint to conceal his real motives.
verb (used without object)
to make a feint: He feinted left, then struck his opponent with a roar.
verb (used with object)
to make a feint at; deceive with a feint.
to make a false show of; simulate.
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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; see origin at feign
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for feint
British Dictionary definitions for feint (1 of 2)
feint1
/ (feɪnt) /
noun
a mock attack or movement designed to distract an adversary, as in a military manoeuvre or in boxing, fencing, etc
a misleading action or appearance
verb
(intr) to make a feint
Word Origin for feint
C17: from French feinte, from feint pretended, from Old French feindre to feign
British Dictionary definitions for feint (2 of 2)
feint2
/ (feɪnt) /
noun
printing the narrowest rule used in the production of ruled paper
Word Origin for feint
C19: variant of faint
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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