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Faint

1. Lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as, faint with fatigue, hunger, or thirst.

2. Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly; dejected; depressed; as, Faint heart ne'er won fair lady.

3. Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the senses feebly; not bright, or loud, or sharp, or forcible; weak; as, a faint colour, or sound.

4. Performed, done, or acted, in a weak or feeble manner; not exhibiting vigor, strength, or energy; slight; as, faint efforts; faint resistance. The faint prosecution of the war. (Sir j. Davies)

Origin: oe. Faint, feint, false, faint, f. Feint, p.p. Of feindre to feign, suppose, hesitate. See Faign, and cf. Feint. Weak and likely to lose consciousness; suddenly felt faint from the pain; was sick and faint from hunger; felt light in the head; a swooning fit; light-headed with wine; light-headed from lack of sleep.