Meaning of fault in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /fɔlt/

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  1. Verb

    fault

    Definitions

    1. put or pin the blame on

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

  2. Noun

    fault

    Etymology

    Middle English faut(e) ‘lack, failing’, from Old French, based on Latin fallere‘deceive’. The -l- was added (in French and English) in the 15th century to conform with the Latin word, but did not become standard in English until the 17th century, remaining silent in pronunciation until well into the 18th

    Definitions

    1. responsibility for a bad situation or event

    Examples

    • « it was John's fault »

    Derived terms

  3. 2. (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other

    Examples

    • « they built it right over a geological fault »

    Derived terms

  4. 3. the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection

    Examples

    • « they discussed the merits and demerits of her novel »
    • « he knew his own faults much better than she did »

    Antonyms

  5. 4. a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

    Examples

    • « he made a bad mistake »
    • « she was quick to point out my errors »
    • « I could understand his English in spite of his grammatical faults »

    Derived terms

  6. 5. an imperfection in a device or machine

    Examples

    • « if there are any defects you should send it back to the manufacturer »

    Derived terms

  7. 6. (sports) a serve that is illegal (e.g., that lands outside the prescribed area)

    Examples

    • « he served too many double faults »
  8. 7. (electronics) equipment failure attributable to some defect in a circuit (loose connection or insulation failure or short circuit etc.)

    Examples

    • « it took much longer to find the fault than to fix it »

Famous quotes

  • « God's forgiveness is the only thing. And, well, I take full responsibility for the adultery. It was my fault and, you know, no matter what went on, the man has to take responsibility and I do. »
    Jim Bakker
  • « Well I don't know that I'm okay any more than anyone else is okay, I lead a happy life and a very full one - I have a happy marriage and my kids are all cheerful, and no one is finding fault with me, personally. »
    L. Ron Hubbard
  • « When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger. »
    Epictetus
  • « The personal contact is a personal thing. The fact that some people don't know their neighbors, I don't think that technology is at fault. You don't lose anything with technology. You gain other avenues of understanding. »
    John Warnock
  • « You don't attack the grunts of Vietnam you blame the theory behind the war. Nobody who fought in that war was at fault. It was the war itself that was at fault. It's the same thing with psychotherapy. »
    James Hillman

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