faint etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English feynt, from Old French feint, from Vulgar Latin fincta ("make-believe"), from Latin fingere ("to shape, feign")

Meaning:

• 1. Lacking strength, vigor, or vitality; weak, feeble: faint muscles
• 1. Lacking or having lost consciousness; unconscious: faint with hunger
• 1. Not bright or intense; dim, shadowy: faint light
• 1. Not easily noticeable or discernible; slight, barely perceptible: faint scent

Origin:

The word faint derives from the Latin verb fingere, which means "to shape" or "to feign." The Vulgar Latin form fincta evolved into the Old French feint, which was used to describe something that was feigned or pretended. In Middle English, feynt retained the sense of "pretended" as well as the more literal meaning of "lacking strength or consciousness." Over time, the word faint came to be used to describe a wide range of conditions characterized by weakness, dimness, or imperceptibility.

faint relate terms

• faint hearted

  Etymology The word fainthearted is composed of two elements Faint From Old French

• faint

  Etymology Middle English feynt from Old French feint from Vulgar Latin fincta make

• faintish

  Etymology The word faintish is derived from two Old English words fain meaning gla

• faint

  Etymology Middle English feynt from Old French feint from Vulgar Latin fincta make

• syncope

  Etymology From Ancient Greek sunkopē συγκοπή Derived from sun together

• vague

  Etymology Origin of the Word The word vague is derived from the Latin word vagus m

• languish

  Etymology The word languish comes from the Old French word languir which in turn is

• swelter

  Etymology Middle English swelten from Old English sweltan swelten to die perish

• feint

  Etymology Old English fent a trick or stratagem Middle English feinte pretense d

• norm

  Etymology Norm derives from the Old French word norme meaning rule or standard T

• blackout

  Etymology The word blackout is a compound word formed from the words black and out

• wake

  Etymology The word wake has Old English roots wæcce noun a nocturnal vigil