FEINT Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

feint

[feynt]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
a feigned or assumed appearance.
His air of approval was a feint to conceal his real motives.

verb (used without object)

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

verb (used with object)

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

feint

/ �ڱ�ɪ�Գ� /

noun

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

verb

(intr) to make a feint

feint

/ �ڱ�ɪ�Գ� /

noun

printing the narrowest rule used in the production of ruled paper

Discover More

51�Թ� 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

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of feint¹

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

Origin of feint²

C19: variant of _faint

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

This attack on foreign students isn't a feint.

From

Perhaps this is a feint in some grand art of the deal.

From

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

From

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

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

From

Related 51�Թ�s

ruse��

feinschmecker feints

Browse