We're all familiar with the verb to faint (to temporarily lose consciousness) and the adjective faint (lacking in brightness), but what is a feint?
The word originated as a fencing term for a movement made in order to
deceive an adversary. A feint is a false attack made to distract the
opponent from an even more fatal blow. The word comes from the Old
French feindre meaning "to feign" or "deceive." Whether you're
standing still or writing up a storm, you've definitely encountered our
next confusing pair.
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feint1
feɪnt/
noun
noun: feint; plural noun: feints
1.
a deceptive or pretended blow, thrust, or other movement, especially in boxing or fencing.
"a brief feint at the opponent's face"
a mock attack or movement in warfare, made in order to distract or deceive an enemy.
Middle English (in the sense ‘feigned’, also ‘feeble, cowardly’, surviving in faint heart): from Old French faint, past participle of faindre (see feign). Compare with feint1.
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