feint
feint Lexical Profile
feint Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A deceptive or pretended blow, thrust, or movement intended to distract an opponent in sports, fencing, or strategy.
"The point guard used a quick feint to the left before driving past the defender toward the basket."
• verb
To make a deceptive or distracting movement, especially during a game, match, or contest.
"The fencer feinted toward her opponent's shoulder before scoring a touch on the torso."
• adjective
British Designating faint, pale lines printed on stationery or account books as a guide for handwriting.
"The accountant ordered several ledgers ruled with feint horizontal lines."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'feint' (a deceptive movement or trick) with its homophone 'faint' (to lose consciousness, or weak and indistinct), though both words share the same Old French root.
• Rhymes for feint
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from French 'feinte', the feminine past participle of 'feindre' (to feign or pretend), ultimately from Latin 'fingere' (to shape, form, or contrive).