[fault] n [ME faute, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL fallita, fr. fem. of fallitus, pp. of L fallere to deceive, disappoint] (14c) 1 obs: lack
2. a: weakness, failing; esp: a moral weakness less serious than a vice b: a physical or intellectual imperfection or impairment: defect c: an error esp. in service in a net or racket game 3 a: misdemeanor b: mistake
4: responsibility for wrongdoing or failure "the accident was the driver's ~"
5: a fracture in the crust of a planet (as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usu. in a direction parallel to the fracture -- at fault 1: unable to find the scent and continue chase
2: open to blame: responsible "couldn't determine who was really at fault" -- to a fault : to an excessive degree "precise to a fault" syn fault, failing, frailty, foible, vice mean an imperfection or weakness of character. fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit "a writer of many virtues and few faults". failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character "being late is a failing of mine". frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation "human frailties". foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy "an eccentric's charming foibles". vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others "compulsive gambling was his vice".
[2]fault vi (15c) 1: to commit a fault: err
2: to fracture so as to produce a geologic fault ~ vt 1: to find a fault in "easy to praise this book and to ~ it --H. G. Roepke"
2: to produce a geologic fault in
3: blame, censure "can't ~ them for not coming"