adj., v., & n.
adj. 1 indistinct, pale, dim; not clearly perceived. 2 (of a person) weak or giddy; inclined to faint. 3 slight, remote, inadequate (a faint chance). 4 feeble, half-hearted (faint praise). 5 timid (a faint heart). 6 (also feint) (of ruled paper) with inconspicuous lines to guide writing.
v.intr. 1 lose consciousness. 2 become faint.
n. a sudden loss of consciousness; fainting. faint-hearted cowardly, timid. faint-heartedly in a faint-hearted manner. faint-heartedness cowardliness, timidity. not have the faintest colloq. have no idea. faintness n.
[ ME f. OF, past part. of faindre FEIGN ]