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. 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

feint

²

/ feɪnt /

noun

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

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

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

Origin of feint²

C19: variant of _faint

Example Sentences

The narrative is less sucker punch than brilliant feints and jabs.

From Los Angeles Times

In these situations, he would carry his team upfield using deceptive feints to create space from opponents pressing him.

From BBC

After throwing a few early feints to get a read on his opponent, Itauma started to unload and quickly found the range for his heavy hands.

From BBC

The gimmicks are effective, though a bit of a feint.

From Los Angeles Times

This attack on foreign students isn't a feint.

From Salon

Related Words

• ruse