Fainting \Faint"ing\, n. Syncope, or loss of consciousness owing to a sudden arrest of the blood supply to the brain, the face becoming pallid, the respiration feeble, and the heat's beat weak.

Fainting fit, a fainting or swoon; syncope. [Colloq.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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)