Faint \Faint\ (f[=a]nt), a. [Compar. Fainter (-[~e]r); superl.
Faintest.]
[OE. feint, faint, false, faint, F. feint, p. p.
of feindre to feign, suppose, hesitate. See Feign, and cf.
Feint.]
1. Lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as,
faint with fatigue, hunger, or thirst.
2. Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly;
dejected; depressed; as, ``Faint heart ne'er won fair
lady.'' --Old Proverb.
3. Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the
senses feebly; not bright, or loud, or sharp, or forcible;
weak; as, a faint color, or sound.
4. Performed, done, or acted, in a weak or feeble manner; not
exhibiting vigor, strength, or energy; slight; as, faint
efforts; faint resistance.
The faint prosecution of the war. --Sir J.
Davies.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Faint \Faint\, n.
The act of fainting, or the state of one who has fainted; a
swoon. [R.]
See Fainting, n.
The saint, Who propped the Virgin in her faint. --Sir
W. Scott.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Faint \Faint\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fainted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Fainting.]
1. To become weak or wanting in vigor; to grow feeble; to
lose strength and color, and the control of the bodily or
mental functions; to swoon; -- sometimes with away. See
Fainting, n.
Hearing the honor intended her, she fainted away.
--Guardian.
If I send them away fasting . . . they will faint by
the way. --Mark viii.
8.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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