faint
UK: feɪnt | US: feɪnt
adj. lacking brightness, vividness, or clarity; weak
adj. (of a person) feeling dizzy or close to losing consciousness
vi. to lose consciousness temporarily
n. a sudden loss of consciousness
The word "faint" traces back to Old French feindre, meaning "to feign" or "to weaken," which itself derives from Latin fingere (to shape, pretend). Over time, the sense of "feigning" shifted to "weakness" or "lack of vigor," particularly in Middle English. The modern meanings—ranging from physical collapse ("fainting") to visual dimness ("faint light")—logically extend from this core idea of diminished strength or intensity.
The faint glow of the candle barely lit the room.
She felt faint after standing in the heat for hours.
He fainted at the sight of blood.
There was a faint smell of lavender in the air.
The distant sound of music grew fainter as we walked away.