feint
Definitions
A deceptive movement meant to make an opponent react wrongly, especially in boxing, fencing or sport
佯攻，虚招，假动作（尤指拳击、击剑或体育中）
To make such a deceptive move
佯攻，虚晃（做假动作）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedfeint is the noun twin of feign, frozen from the French past participle of feindre. Where feign is the act of pretending, a feint is a thing pretended — a fake move that shapes a false expectation in your opponent before you strike for real.
Root feign still carries 4 more wordsWhy It Means This
feign and feint look different but are the same word at different ages of French grammar. The verb kept the -gn (feign); the noun grew out of the past participle and kept a -t (feint). So whenever you spell feint, remember it is literally 'a feigned thing.'
Usage Guide
Pronounced /feɪnt/ — exactly like faint, so distinguish by context: a boxer's feint (trick move) vs to faint (pass out). Most common in sports writing: feint to the left, a clever feint.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The striker sold the defender a feint and cut inside.
- 2.
He feinted to the left, then drove to the basket.
- 3.
A well-timed feint can open up the whole defense.
Easily Confused
feint vs faint — identical sound, opposite worlds. feint = a tricky fake move (sports/combat); faint = to lose consciousness, or (adj.) faint light/sound = weak, dim. If it's on a boxing page it's feint; if someone collapses it's faint.