Faint Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ต
faint
[feษชnt ]
Definitions
feeling
Lacking strength or vigor; weak. Likely to lose consciousness.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| faint |
Use when someone feels like they might lose consciousness or when a sound or image is very weak or hard to perceive.
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| weak |
General term for lacking strength, power, or intensity. Can be used for people, objects, or efforts.
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| feeble |
Describes something or someone that is physically weak or lacking strength, often used to imply a sense of fragility.
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| dizzy |
Used to describe a feeling of spinning or losing balance, often associated with nausea.
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Examples of usage
- She felt faint after running a marathon.
- The patient was faint from dehydration.
action
To lose consciousness for a short time because of a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| faint |
Used when someone temporarily loses consciousness due to a drop in blood pressure or extreme emotions. It is often used in everyday situations and is a neutral term.
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| pass out |
Informal term used to describe temporary loss of consciousness, often due to factors like alcohol, heat, or fatigue. It is more casual and colloquial.
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| collapse |
Used when someone suddenly falls down or loses strength, often suggesting a more serious medical condition or extreme fatigue. It carries a slightly stronger sense of urgency or seriousness.
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| swoon |
Used to describe fainting or near-fainting due to strong emotions, particularly romantic feelings. It often carries a more poetic or dramatic tone.
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Examples of usage
- He fainted at the sight of blood.
- She fainted from the heat.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- Fainting can occur due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain, often triggered by dehydration, stress, or standing up too quickly.
- The medical term for fainting is 'syncope,' which describes the temporary loss of consciousness.
Pop Culture
- In movies and TV shows, characters often faint dramatically when overwhelmed by emotion, a common trope in romantic or suspenseful scenes.
- Fainting is humorously portrayed in many cartoons where characters fall over after seeing something unbelievable.
History
- Historically, fainting was commonly associated with women, often linked to corsets restricting breathing during the Victorian era.
- Fainting couches were popular furniture in the 19th century, intended for those who might fall unconscious for any reason.
Psychology
- Emotional factors, such as seeing something terrifying or experiencing extreme joy, can lead to fainting as part of the body's stress response.
- Anxiety and panic attacks can also trigger fainting, showcasing the strong connection between mental and physical health.
Origin of 'faint'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old French 'feint' meaning 'to feign' or 'to pretend,' which relates to pretending to be unconscious.
- In Latin, the term 'fingere' means 'to shape or form,' reflecting how fainting can feel like losing one's form or stability.
The word 'faint' originated from the Old French word 'feindre', meaning 'to pretend'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'lacking strength or vigor' and 'losing consciousness'. The sense of 'feeling weak' dates back to the late 14th century, while the sense of 'losing consciousness' emerged in the early 18th century.
Word Frequency Rank
At #5,132 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.
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- 5129 consensus
- 5130 whites
- 5131 hazard
- 5132 faint
- 5133 broadcast
- 5134 differentiation
- 5135 addressing
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