Sekirov Dictionary

feint

/feɪnt/

noun 3
verb 3
adjective 3
forms 4

noun3

•
A movement made to confuse an opponent; a dummy.
- In October, Friburg had been taken by a Feint of the Duke of Crequi, before the Duke of Lorrain cou'd come to relieve it; […] — 1683
•
A blow, thrust, or other offensive movement resembling an attack on some part of the body, intended to distract from a real attack on another part.
- It is also possible to deliver a compound riposte by using an indirect feint. The attacking fencer would be open to a compound riposte following a successful parry by their opponent. — 1999
•
(figurative) Something feigned; a false or pretend appearance; a pretence or stratagem.
- If you had fallen up against him (as some of them did), and stood there; he would have made a feint of endeavouring to seize you, which would have been an affront to your understanding; […] — 1843

verb3

•
To direct (a blow, thrust, or other offensive movement resembling an attack) on some part of the body, intended to distract from a real attack on another part.
- Genevra scowled and said, "His word is wild, / But dastard treason feinteth such disorders: / Treason or witchcraft neither, undefiled, / A Christian court may cherish in its borders." — 1882
•
To make a feint or mock attack.
- My assailant stood a little; in the thick darkness I could see him bob and sidle as though he were feinting at me for an advantageous onfall. — 1893
•
(rare) To direct a feint or mock attack against (someone).
- Feint him—use your legs! draw him about! he'll lose his wind then in no time, and you can go into him. — 1857

adjective3

Of lines printed on paper as a handwriting guide: not bold; faint, light; also, of such paper: ruled with faint lines of this sort.
Of an attack or offensive movement: directed toward a different part from the intended strike.
•
(no longer used) Feigned, counterfeit, fake.
- We force ourselves to be hypocrites, and hide our wrongs from them; we speak of a bad father with false praises; we wear feint smiles over our tears and deceive our children—deceive them, do we? — 1855

forms

feinted · feinting · feints · feintest

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