fault

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fault[1,noun] fault[2,verb]

Main Entry: ¹fault
Pronunciation: 'folt, in poetry also 'fot
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English faute, falte, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *fallita, from feminine of fallitus, past participle of Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint
1 obsolete : LACK
2 a : WEAKNESS, FAILING; especially : a moral weakness less serious than a vice b : a physical or intellectual imperfection or impairment : DEFECT c : an error especially in service in a net or racket game
3 a : MISDEMEANOR b : MISTAKE
4 : responsibility for wrongdoing or failure <the accident was the driver's fault>
5 : a fracture in the crust of a planet (as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture
- at fault
1 : unable to find the scent and continue chase
2 : open to blame : RESPONSIBLE <couldn't determine who was really at fault>
- to a fault : to an excessive degree <precise to a fault>
synonyms FAULT, FAILING, FRAILTY, FOIBLE, VICE mean an imperfection or weakness of character. FAULT implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit <a writer of many virtues and few faults>. FAILING suggests a minor shortcoming in character <being late is a failing of mine>. FRAILTY implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation <human frailties>. FOIBLE applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy <an eccentric's charming foibles>. VICE can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others <compulsive gambling was his vice>.
[fault illustration]