Fault \Fault\, n. [OE. faut, faute, F. faute (cf. It., Sp., & Pg. falta), fr. a verb meaning to want, fail, freq., fr. L. fallere to deceive. See Fail, and cf. Default.]

1. Defect; want; lack; default.

One, it pleases me, for fault of a better, to call my friend. --Shak.

2. Anything that fails, that is wanting, or that impairs excellence; a failing; a defect; a blemish.

As patches set upon a little breach Discredit more in hiding of the fault. --Shak.

3. A moral failing; a defect or dereliction from duty; a deviation from propriety; an offense less serious than a crime.

4. (Geol. & Mining)
   (a) A dislocation of the strata of the vein.
   (b) In coal seams, coal rendered worthless by impurities in the seam; as, slate fault, dirt fault, etc. --Raymond.

5. (Hunting) A lost scent; act of losing the scent.

Ceasing their clamorous cry till they have singled, With much ado, the cold fault cleary out. --Shak.

6. (Tennis) Failure to serve the ball into the proper court.

At fault, unable to find the scent and continue chase; hence, in trouble or embarrassment, and unable to proceed; puzzled; thrown off the track.

To find fault, to find reason for blaming or complaining; to express dissatisfaction; to complain; -- followed by with before the thing complained of; but formerly by at. ``Matter to find fault at.'' --Robynson (More's Utopia).

Syn: -- Error; blemish; defect; imperfection; weakness; blunder; failing; vice.

Usage: Fault, Failing, Defect, Foible. A fault is positive, something morally wrong; a failing is negative, some weakness or falling short in a man's character, disposition, or habits; a defect is also negative, and as applied to character is the absence of anything which is necessary to its completeness or perfection; a foible is a less important weakness, which we overlook or smile at. A man may have many failings, and yet commit but few faults; or his faults and failings may be few, while his foibles are obvious to all. The faults of a friend are often palliated or explained away into mere defects, and the defects or foibles of an enemy exaggerated into faults. ``I have failings in common with every human being, besides my own peculiar faults; but of avarice I have generally held myself guiltless.'' --Fox. ``Presumption and self-applause are the foibles of mankind.'' --Waterland.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)