1. To become weak or wanting in vigor; to grow feeble; to lose strength and color, and the control of the bodily or mental functions; to swoon; — sometimes with away. See Fainting, n. Hearing the honor intended her, she fainted away. Guardian. If I send them away fasting . . . they will faint by the way. Mark viii. 8.
2. To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to become depressed or despondent. If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Prov. xxiv. 10.
3. To decay; to disappear; to vanish. Gilded clouds, while we gaze upon them, faint before the eye. Pope.
FAINT
Faint, v. t.
Defn: To cause to faint or become dispirited; to depress; to weaken.
[Obs.]
It faints me to think what follows. Shak.
FAINTHEARTED; FAINT-HEARTED
Faint"*heart`ed, a.
Defn: Wanting in courage; depressed by fear; easily discouraged or
frightened; cowardly; timorous; dejected.
Fear not, neither be faint-hearted. Is. vii. 4.
— Faint"*heart`ed*ly, adv.
— Faint"*heart`ed*ness, n.
FAINTING
Faint"ing, n.
Defn: Syncope, or loss of consciousness owing to a sudden arrest of the blood supply to the brain, the face becoming pallid, the respiration feeble, and the heat's beat weak. Fainting fit, a fainting or swoon; syncope. [Colloq.]
FAINTISH
Faint"ish, a.