adjective

faint

faint, dim, dizzy

I saw a faint light in the distance.

I saw a faint light in the distance.

She suddenly felt faint.

She suddenly felt faint.

There's a faint smell of smoke.

There's a faint smell of smoke.

a ((faint)) + ((noun)) not strong or clear I heard a faint sound.

feel ((faint)) to feel weak, as if you might lose consciousness She began to feel faint.

Synonyms: dim, weak, dizzy; Antonyms: strong, clear, bright

From Old French 'feint' meaning 'sluggish, lazy', past participle of 'feindre' meaning 'to pretend'.

Imagine a light so weak it might 'faint' (lose consciousness). This connects the two meanings: 'dim' and 'feeling dizzy'.

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