faint

Everyday

1. Not strong or clear; hard to see, hear or smell (a faint sound, a faint line). tree →
2. To suddenly become unconscious for a short time and fall down, often because the brain does not get enough blood. tree →
3. Feeling weak and dizzy, as if you might fall (I feel faint). tree →
4. Very small (a faint chance; I haven't the faintest idea = I don't know at all). tree →

In the lessons

In safety and first aid: people can faint from heat, not eating, standing still too long, or the sight of blood; lie them down, raise their legs, give air, and get an adult; call an ambulance if they don't wake up quickly. In art and maths, faint lines are light pencil lines you can rub out. In stories faint sounds and lights build mystery. Phrases: feel faint, faint with hunger, a faint smell, not the faintest idea.

Examples

• I could hear a faint sound coming from the cupboard. tree →
• Draw faint lines first, then go over them in pen. tree →
• He fainted in the hot sun and fell down. tree →
• If you feel faint, sit down and put your head between your knees. tree →
• There was a faint smell of smoke. tree →
• The stars were faint because of the city lights. tree →
• I haven't the faintest idea where my shoe is. tree →
• The sickening smell made him faint. tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «faint» (weak, or to pass out) and «feint» (a fake move in sport or boxing) sound the same. Comparative: fainter, faintest.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means weak and worn out from hunger or shock. The prophets and psalms also use it for a heart or soul that is weak, sick or hopeless from trouble.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the "faint heart" of Isaiah as a nation sick with sin. The psalm of the hungry travelers is read as thanks to God, who rescues the weak.

Examples

• And Jacob sod pottage; and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint. (Torah GEN.25.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Esau said to Jacob: 'Let me swallow, I pray thee, some of this red, red pottage; for I am faint.' Therefore was his name called Edom. (Torah GEN.25.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they told him, saying: 'Joseph is yet alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.' And his heart fainted, for he believed them not. (Torah GEN.45.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. (Writings PSA.107.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint; (Prophets ISA.1.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me; (Writings JOB.23.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «faint» (weak, or to pass out) and «feint» (a fake move in sport or boxing) sound the same. Comparative: fainter, faintest.

Early Modern English

Meaning

weak, tired and nearly without strength, especially from hunger. tree →

Then and now

Today faint means not strong or clear, or means passing out; here it means weak from hunger, and the second sentence uses the today's sense of passing out.

Examples

• And Jacob sod pottage; and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint. (Torah GEN.25.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• The sickening smell made him faint. (Japanese Fairy Tales) tree →
• And Esau said to Jacob: 'Let me swallow, I pray thee, some of this red, red pottage; for I am faint.' Therefore was his name called Edom. (Torah GEN.25.30, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: weak, tired.