faint

Noun · Verb · Adjective
Synonyms: swoonsyncopedeliquiumconkpass outweakdimshadowyvaguewispyfeeblelight

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brainSynonyms: swoonsyncopedeliquium

Verb (1)

  1. pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brainSynonyms: conkswoonpass out

Adjective (6)

  1. deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc“a faint outline”“the wan sun cast faint shadows”“the faint light of a distant candle”“weak colors”“a faint hissing sound”“a faint aroma”“a weak pulse”Synonyms: weak
  2. lacking clarity or distinctness“a dim figure in the distance”“only a faint recollection”“shadowy figures in the gloom”“saw a vague outline of a building through the fog”“a few wispy memories of childhood”Synonyms: dimshadowyvaguewispy
  3. lacking strength or vigor“damning with faint praise”“faint resistance”“feeble efforts”“a feeble voice”Synonyms: feeble
  4. weak and likely to lose consciousness“suddenly felt faint from the pain”“was sick and faint from hunger”“felt light in the head”“a swooning fit”“light-headed with wine”“light-headed from lack of sleep”Synonyms: lightswooninglight-headedlightheaded
  5. indistinctly understood or felt or perceived“a faint clue to the origin of the mystery”“haven't the faintest idea”
  6. lacking conviction or boldness or courage“faint heart ne'er won fair lady”Synonyms: faintheartedtimidfaint-hearted
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Faint \Faint\, n. The act of fainting, or the state of one who has fainted; a swoon. [R.] See Fainting, n. [1913 Webster]

The saint, Who propped the Virgin in her faint. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Hearing the honor intended her, she fainted away.— Guardian.[1913 Webster]
If I send them away fasting . . . they will faint by the way.— Mark viii. 8.[1913 Webster]

2.To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to become depressed or despondent. [1913 Webster]

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.— Prov. xxiv. 10.[1913 Webster]

3.To decay; to disappear; to vanish. [1913 Webster]

Gilded clouds, while we gaze upon them, faint before the eye.— Pope.[1913 Webster]
Faint \Faint\ (f[=a]nt), a. [Compar. Fainter (-[~e]r); superl. Faintest.] [OE. feint, faint, false, faint, F. feint, p. p. of feindre to feign, suppose, hesitate. See Feign, and cf. Feint.]

1.Lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as, faint with fatigue, hunger, or thirst. [1913 Webster]

2.Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly; dejected; depressed; as, "Faint heart ne'er won fair lady." --Old Proverb. [1913 Webster]

3.Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the senses feebly; not bright, or loud, or sharp, or forcible; weak; as, a faint color, or sound. [1913 Webster]

4.Performed, done, or acted, in a weak or feeble manner; not exhibiting vigor, strength, or energy; slight; as, faint efforts; faint resistance. [1913 Webster]

The faint prosecution of the war.— Sir J. Davies.[1913 Webster]
Faint \Faint\, v. t. To cause to faint or become dispirited; to depress; to weaken. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

It faints me to think what follows. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Advertisement