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

On a metatextual level, the show is itself a masterful feint.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether the visit is a feint to draw Democratic dollars to the state or a true effort to expand the electoral map, only the Trump campaign knows.

From New York Times

It is the most delicate of dances, rife with subtle signals, attacks and feints, and deniable action.

From New York Times

It's a feint, an effort to scare his opponents into believing his ascension is unstoppable, so they stop fighting him.

From Salon

The fight started with the Briton pushing forward, as he would throughout the following 25 minutes, feinting and landing leg kicks, while chants of "Colby, Colby" rung out around the arena.

From BBC

Related Words

• ruse