faintness

Everyday

1. Faintness is a weak, dizzy feeling as if you might faint (pass out). tree →
2. Faintness is also the quality of being faint: hard to see, hear or smell because it is very weak, like the faintness of a star or a sound. tree →

In the lessons

In health and safety lessons, faintness can come from heat, not eating, standing still too long or the sight of blood; first aid says sit or lie down and raise the legs. In science, faintness describes dim light or quiet sounds. In stories, it shows a character is weak or shocked. Phrases: «a feeling of faintness», «the faintness of the light».

Examples

• After running in the heat, she felt a wave of faintness. tree →
• Tell an adult if you have faintness or dizziness. tree →
• The faintness of the star made it hard to see. tree →
• Because of the faintness of the writing, we could barely read the letter. tree →
• Faintness can come from skipping breakfast. tree →
• He sat down when faintness came over him. tree →
• But as soon as she stepped into the cold water, a sudden faintness seized her; she clutched at the air convulsively with her hand, took one step forward, and fell. tree →

Note

Uncountable. From «faint» (adjective: weak, pale; verb: to pass out). Do not confuse with «feint» (a pretend move in sport or fencing) or «faint-hearted» (not brave).

In Jewish tradition

In health and safety lessons, faintness can come from heat, not eating, standing still too long or the sight of blood; first aid says sit or lie down and raise the legs. In science, faintness describes dim light or quiet sounds. In stories, it shows a character is weak or shocked. Phrases: «a feeling of faintness», «the faintness of the light».

Note

Uncountable. From «faint» (adjective: weak, pale; verb: to pass out). Do not confuse with «feint» (a pretend move in sport or fencing) or «faint-hearted» (not brave).