I. ˈfāl 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 ˈfā-liŋ-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 13th century
1. : failure — usually used in the phrase without fail
2. : a failure (as by a security dealer) to deliver or receive securities within a prescribed period after purchase or sale