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failure - 7 dictionary results

fail⋅ure

[feyl-yer]
–noun
1. an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success: His effort ended in failure. The campaign was a failure.
2. nonperformance of something due, required, or expected: a failure to do what one has promised; a failure to appear.
3. a subnormal quantity or quality; an insufficiency: the failure of crops.
4. deterioration or decay, esp. of vigor, strength, etc.: The failure of her health made retirement necessary.
5. a condition of being bankrupt by reason of insolvency.
6. a becoming insolvent or bankrupt: the failure of a bank.
7. a person or thing that proves unsuccessful: He is a failure in his career. The cake is a failure.

Origin:
1635–45; fail + -ure; r. failer a (de)fault < AF (n. use of inf.), for OF faillir
fail·ure   (fāl'yər)   
n.  
  1. The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends: the failure of an experiment.
  2. One that fails: a failure at one's career.
  3. The condition or fact of being insufficient or falling short: a crop failure.
  4. A cessation of proper functioning or performance: a power failure.
  5. Nonperformance of what is requested or expected; omission: failure to report a change of address.
  6. The act or fact of failing to pass a course, test, or assignment.
  7. A decline in strength or effectiveness.
  8. The act or fact of becoming bankrupt or insolvent.

[Alteration of failer, default, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French faillir, to fail; see fail.]

Failure

Fail"ure\, n. [From Fail.]

1. Cessation of supply, or total defect; a failing; deficiency; as, failure of rain; failure of crops.

2. Omission; nonperformance; as, the failure to keep a promise.

3. Want of success; the state of having failed.

4. Decay, or defect from decay; deterioration; as, the failure of memory or of sight.

5. A becoming insolvent; bankruptcy; suspension of payment; as, failure in business.

6. A failing; a slight fault. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Language Translation for : failure
Spanish: fracaso, suspenso, corte,
German: das Versagen,
Japanese: 失敗

Main Entry: fail·ure
Function: noun
1 : omission of occurrence or performance; specifically : a failing to perform a duty or expected action failure to mitigate damages> <failure to prosecute>
2 : a lack of success or adequacy <failure of a suit>
3 : a failing in business

Main Entry: fail·ure
Pronunciation: 'fA(&)l-y&r
Function: noun
: a state of inability to perform a vital function failure> failure> —see HEART FAILURE

failure fail·ure (fāl'yər)
n.
The inability to function or perform satisfactorily.

failure
The inability of a system or system component to perform a required function within specified limits. A failure may be produced when a fault is encountered.
(1996-05-13)

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