faints

[feynts] Origin

faints

[feynts]
noun (used with a plural verb)
the impure spirit produced in the first and last stages of the distillation of whiskey.
Also, feints.
Compare foreshots.


Origin:
1735–45; noun use (in plural) of faint (adj.)

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Faints is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

faint

[feynt] adjective, faint·er, faint·est, verb, noun
adjective
1.
lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc.: a faint light; a faint color; a faint sound.
2.
feeble or slight: faint resistance; faint praise; a faint resemblance.
3.
feeling weak, dizzy, or exhausted; about to lose consciousness: faint with hunger.
4.
lacking courage; cowardly; timorous: Faint heart never won fair maid.
5.
Law. unfounded: a faint action.
verb (used without object)
6.
to lose consciousness temporarily.
7.
to lose brightness.
8.
Archaic. to grow weak; lose spirit or courage.
noun
9.
a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from a decreased flow of blood to the brain; a swoon: to fall into a faint.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of faindre, variant of feindre to feign

faint·er, noun
faint·ing·ly, adverb
faint·ish, adjective
faint·ish·ness, noun
faint·ly, adverb
EXPAND
faint·ness, noun
o·ver·faint, adjective
o·ver·faint·ly, adverb
o·ver·faint·ness, noun
un·faint·ing, adjective
un·faint·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE

fain, faint, feign, feint.


1. indistinct, ill-defined, dim, faded, dull, 2. faltering, irresolute, weak. 3. languid. 4. pusillanimous, fearful, timid, dastardly. 6. pass out, black out.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To faints
Collins
World English Dictionary
faints (feɪnts)
 
pl n
a variant spelling of feints

feints or faints (feɪnts)
 
pl n
the leavings of the second distillation of Scotch malt whisky
 
faints or faints
 
pl n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

faint
c.1300, "wanting in courage," now mostly in faint-hearted (mid-15c.), from O.Fr. faint "soft, weak, sluggish," pp. of faindre "avoid one's duty by pretending" (see feign). Sense of "weak, feeble" is early 14c. Meaning "producing a feeble impression upon the senses" is from
EXPAND
1650s. The verb originally meant "to lose heart" (mid-14c.); sense of "swoon" is c.1400. Related: Fainted; fainting.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

faint (fānt)
n.
An abrupt, usually brief loss of consciousness; an attack of syncope. adj.
Extremely weak; threatened with syncope.


faint v.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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