fail

fail [fāl]

vi.

[ME failen < OFr faillir, to fail, miss < L fallere, to deceive, disappoint < IE base * ĝhwel-, to bend, deviate > Sans hválati, (he) loses the way, errs, Gr phēloein, to deceive]

1. to be lacking or insufficient; fall short [the water supply is failing]

2. to lose power or strength; weaken; die away

3. to stop operating or working [the brakes failed]

4. to be deficient or negligent in an obligation, duty, or expectation; default

5. to be unsuccessful in obtaining a desired end; be unable to do or become; miss

6. to become bankrupt

7. Educ. to get a grade of failure; not pass

vt.

1. to be useless or not helpful to; be inadequate for; disappoint

2. to leave; abandon [his courage failed him]

3. to miss, neglect, or omit: used with an infinitive [he failed to go]

4. Educ.

a) to give a grade of failure to (a pupil)

b) to get a grade of failure in (a subject)

n.

[ME faile < OFr faile < the v.]

failure: now only in the phrase without fail, without failing (to occur, do something, etc.)

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fail of

to fail to achieve; be without