Fahrenheit, fä′ren-hīt, or far′en-īt, n. the name applied to a thermometer, the freezing-point of which is marked at 32, and the boiling-point at 212 degrees (see Thermometer for the relations between the two scales). [Named from the inventor, Gabriel D. Fahrenheit (1686-1736).]
Faience, fā′yäns, n. a fine kind of pottery, glazed and painted. [Fr.; prob. from Faenza in Italy.]
Faik, fāk, v.i. and v.t. (Scot.) to abate: to excuse.
Fail, fāl, n. a turf, sod.—n. Fail′-dike (Scot.), a turf-wall. [Perh. from Gael. fàl, a sod.]
Fail, fāl, v.i. to fall short or be wanting (with in): to fall away: to decay: to die: to prove deficient under trial, examination, pressure, &c.: to miss: to be disappointed or baffled: to be unable to pay one's debts.—v.t. to be wanting to: not to be sufficient for: to leave undone, omit: to disappoint or desert any one:—pr.p. fail′ing; pa.p. failed.—n. (Shak.) failure.—p.adj. Failed, decayed, worn out: bankrupt.—n. Fail′ing, a fault, weakness: a foible.—prep. in default of.—n. Fail′ure, a falling short, or cessation: omission: decay: bankruptcy.—Fail of, to come short of accomplishing any purpose; Without fail, infallibly. [O. Fr. faillir—L. fallĕre, to deceive; cf. Dut. feilen, Ger. fehlen, Ice. feila.]
Fain, fān, adj. glad or joyful: inclined (with to): content to accept, for want of better: compelled: (Spens.) wont.—v.i. (Spens.) to delight.—adv. gladly.—adv. Fain′ly, gladly.—n. Fain′ness, eagerness. [A.S. fægen, joyful: cf. Ice. feginn, glad.]
Fain, fān, v.i. (Spens.). Same as Feign.
Fainéant, fā-nyang′, adj. and n. do-nothing, applied esp. to the later Merovingian kings of France, mere puppets, under whom the mayors of the Palace really governed the country.—ns. Fai′neance (Kingsley), Fai′neancy, Faineant′ise. [Fr., faire, to do, néant, nothing.]
Faint, fānt, adj. wanting in strength: fading: lacking distinctness: not bright or forcible: weak in spirit: lacking courage: depressed: done in a feeble way.—v.i. to become feeble or weak: to lose strength, colour, &c.: to swoon: to fade or decay: to vanish: to lose courage or spirit: to become depressed.—v.t. (rare) to render faint.—n. a swoon.—p.adj. Faint′ed (Milt.), exhausted.—adjs. Faint′-heart, Faint′-heart′ed, cowardly: timorous.—adv. Faint′-heart′edly.—ns. Faint′-heart′edness; Faint′ing.—adj. Faint′ish, slightly faint.—n. Faint′ishness.—adv. Faint′ly.—n. Faint′ness, want of strength: feebleness of colour, light, &c.: dejection.—adj. Faint′y, faintish. [O. Fr. feint (Fr. feindre), feigned—L. fingĕre, to feign.]
Fair, fār, adj. bright: clear: free from blemish: pure: pleasing to the eye: beautiful: free from a dark hue: of a light shade: free from clouds or rain: favourable: unobstructed: open: prosperous: frank: impartial: just: pleasing: plausible: hopeful: moderate: pretty good.—n. that which is fair: (arch.) a woman.—v.t. to make fair.—v.i. to clear up, as the weather from rain.—adv. kindly, honestly, clearly: straight: (Shak.) favourably.—adjs. Fair′-and-square, honest—also used adverbially; Fair′-bod′ing (Shak.), auspicious.—n. Fair′-cop′y, the state of a document copied after final correction.—adjs. Fair′-faced, with a light complexion: beautiful: specious; Fair′-haired, having fair or light-coloured hair; Fair′-hand, having a fair appearance; Fair′ish, somewhat fair: pretty well, pretty drunk.—adv. Fair′ly.—adj. Fair′-mind′ed, judging fairly.—ns. Fair′ness; Fair′-play, honest dealing: justice.—adjs. Fair′-seem′ing, appearing fair; Fair′-spok′en, bland and civil in language and address.—ns. Fair′-trade, free-trade: a euphemism for smuggling: a mild form of the protective system, in which the basis of economic policy is supposed to be reciprocity or free-trade only with such nations as grant similar privileges—also used adverbially; Fair′-way, the part of a river, roadstead, &c. by which vessels enter or leave.—adj. Fair′-weath′er, suitable only for fair weather or favourable circumstances.—Be in a fair way to, to be likely to succeed in; Keep fair with, to keep on amiable terms with; Stand fair with, to be in the good graces of.—The fair, The fair sex, the female sex. [A.S. fæger.]