Main Entry: ¹faint

Pronunciation: \ˈfānt\

Function: 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