Etymology:
The word "feign" ultimately derives from the Latin word "fingere," meaning "to form, shape, or invent." It passed into Old French as "feindre" and entered Middle English by the 14th century.
Meaning and Origin:
In modern English, "feign" means:
The original Latin meaning of "fingere" was "to shape or mold" with the hands. This sense is still evident in English words such as "figure" and "fiction." Over time, the meaning of "feign" evolved to include the idea of creating something false or imaginary.
In the Middle Ages, "feign" was often used in the context of religious hypocrisy or dissimulation. For example, a person who outwardly professed faith while secretly harboring doubts might be accused of feigning belief.
Today, "feign" is commonly used in everyday language to describe a wide range of actions, from playful pretense to deliberate deception.
Etymology Middle English feynt from Old French feint from Vulgar Latin fincta make
Etymology The word fainthearted is composed of two elements Faint From Old French
Etymology Old English fent a trick or stratagem Middle English feinte pretense d
Etymology Old English fent a trick or stratagem Middle English feinte pretense d
