faint hearted etymology

Etymology:

The word "fainthearted" is composed of two elements:

  • Faint: From Old French "feint," meaning "weak" or "cowardly"
  • Hearted: From Old English "heort," meaning "heart"

Meaning:

Fainthearted means lacking courage or determination; cowardly. It describes someone who is easily frightened or intimidated and hesitant to take risks.

Origin:

The word "fainthearted" first appeared in the late 1300s. It was originally used to describe someone who was physically weak or cowardly in battle. Over time, the meaning evolved to include psychological weakness or timidity.

Examples of Usage:

  • "He was a fainthearted soldier who always ran away from danger."
  • "She was too fainthearted to speak up for herself."
  • "I'm not afraid to take risks, but he's so fainthearted that he wouldn't even cross the street alone."

Synonyms:

  • Cowardly
  • Timid
  • Lacking courage
  • Hesitant
  • Nervous

Antonyms:

  • Courageous
  • Brave
  • Dauntless
  • Fearless
  • Determined

faint hearted relate terms

  • faint

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

  • faint hearted

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

  • heart

    Etymology The word heart comes from the Old English word heorte which is related to

  • 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

  • Nice

    Etymology The word nice is derived from the Old French word nice which itself comes

  • norm

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

  • heartless

    Etymology The word heartless is derived from two Old English words heorte meaning

  • marcescent

    Etymology marcescent adj from Latin marcescere meaning to wither or to wilt

  • peter

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  • fork

    Etymology Old English forc Middle English forke Proto Germanic furkô Proto Indo

  • asylum

    Etymology Greek ἄσυλον ásulos meaning unplundered or inviolable Latin