I. ˈfānt adjective
Etymology: Middle English faint, feint, from Anglo-French, from past participle of feindre, faindre to feign, lose heart — more at feign
Date: 14th century
1. : lacking courage and spirit : cowardly
faint of heart
2. : weak, dizzy, and likely to faint
3. : lacking strength or vigor : performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly
faint praise
4. : producing a sensation of faintness : oppressive
the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
5.
a. : hardly perceptible : dim
faint handwriting
b. : vague 2a
haven't the faintest idea
• faint·ish ˈfān-tish adjective
• faint·ish·ness noun
• faint·ly adverb
• faint·ness noun
II. intransitive verb
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : to lose courage or spirit
2. archaic : to become weak
3. : to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
III. noun
Date: 1792
: the physiological action of fainting ; also : the resulting condition : syncope 1