n.
Pronunciation: ' f ā l
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English failen, from Anglo-French faillir, from Vulgar Latin *fallire, alteration of Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1 a : to lose strength : WEAKEN <her health was fail ing > b : to fade or die away <until our family line fail s > c : to stop functioning normally <the patient's heart fail ed >
2 a : to fall short < fail ed in his duty> b : to be or become absent or inadequate <the water supply fail ed > c : to be unsuccessful <the marriage fail ed > specifically : to be unsuccessful in achieving a passing grade <took the exam and fail ed > d : to become bankrupt or insolvent
transitive verb
1 a : to disappoint the expectations or trust of <her friends fail ed her> b : to miss performing an expected service or function for <his wit fail ed him>
2 : to be deficient in : LACK <never fail ed an invincible courage ― Douglas MacArthur>
3 : to leave undone : NEGLECT < fail to lock the door>
4 a : to be unsuccessful in passing < fail ed chemistry> b : to grade (as a student) as not passing
– fail · ing · ly \ ' f ā -li ŋ -l ē \ adverb