(~er, ~est, ~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
A ~ sound, colour, mark, feeling, or quality has very little strength or intensity.
He became aware of the soft, ~ sounds of water dripping...
He could see ~ lines in her face...
There was still the ~ hope deep within him that she might never need to know.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
He was already asleep in the bed, which smelled ~ly of mildew...
She felt ~ly ridiculous.
= slightly
ADV: usu ADV after v, also ADV adj
2.
A ~ attempt at something is one that is made without proper effort and with little enthusiasm.
Caroline made a ~ attempt at a laugh...
A ~ smile crossed the Monsignor’s face and faded quickly...
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
John smiled ~ly and shook his head.
ADV: ADV after v
3.
If you ~, you lose consciousness for a short time, especially because you are hungry, or because of pain, heat, or shock.
She suddenly fell forward on to the table and ~ed...
I thought he’d ~ when I kissed him.
= pass out
VERB: V, V
•
Faint is also a noun.
She slumped to the ground in a ~.
N-COUNT: oft in a N
4.
Someone who is ~ feels weak and unsteady as if they are about to lose consciousness.
Other signs of angina are nausea, sweating, feeling ~ and shortness of breath.
ADJ: v-link ADJ