feint

[ feynt ]

noun

1. a movement made in order to deceive an adversary; an attack aimed at one place or point merely as a distraction from the real place or point of attack:

   military feints; the feints of a skilled fencer.

2. a feigned or assumed appearance:

   His air of approval was a feint to conceal his real motives.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a feint:

   He feinted left, then struck his opponent with a roar.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a feint at; deceive with a feint.
2. to make a false show of; simulate.

feint

¹

/ feɪnt /

noun

1. printing the narrowest rule used in the production of ruled paper

feint

²

/ feɪnt /

noun

1. a mock attack or movement designed to distract an adversary, as in a military manoeuvre or in boxing, fencing, etc
2. a misleading action or appearance

verb

1. intr to make a feint

Word History and Origins

Origin of feint¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from French feinte, from Old French feinte “fabrication,” noun use of feminine of feint “pretended,” past participle of feindre; feign

Word History and Origins

Origin of feint¹

C19: variant of faint

Origin of feint²

C17: from French feinte , from feint pretended, from Old French feindre to feign

Example Sentences

While some may see a cynical feint—float in the Dead Sea and watch the Jewish vote pour in!

From The Daily Beast

Netanyahu had no choice but to at least feint in this direction.

From The Daily Beast

It increased in volume, this firing, until I feared that what had been started as a feint was being pushed forward to a victory.

From Project Gutenberg

On the evening of the 15th his advance made a feint demonstration against Petersburg, and on the 16th made his attack in force.

From Project Gutenberg

The boatswain swore with wicked words,Enough to shock a saint, That though she did seem in a fit,'Twas nothing but a feint.

From Project Gutenberg

She is jesting: I have it here; Monsieur, the feint is useless.

From Project Gutenberg

But Clairon considers that this is a feint on his part, and that he will arrive sooner, in order to surprise her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ruse