fault

fault [fôlt]

n.

[ME faute < OFr faulte, a lack < VL * fallita < * fallitus, for L falsus: see FALSE]

1. Obs. failure to have or do what is required; lack

2. something that mars the appearance, character, structure, etc.; defect or failing

3. something done wrongly; specif.,

a) a misdeed; offense

b) an error; mistake

4. responsibility for something wrong; blame [it's her fault that they are late]

5. Elec. a defect or point of defect in the wiring or connections of a circuit, which prevents the current from following the intended path

6. Geol. a fracture or zone of fractures in rock strata together with movement that displaces the sides relative to one another

7. Hunting a break in the line of the scent

8. Volleyball, Tennis, etc.Volleyball Tennis

a) an improper serve; specif., a serve that hits the net or lands outside the court

b) a ball improperly served

vt.

1. to find fault with; blame or criticize

2. Geol. to cause a fault in

vi.

1. to commit a fault: archaic except in racket sports

2. Geol. to develop a fault

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at fault

1. unable to find the scent: said of hunting dogs

2. not knowing what to do; perplexed

3. guilty of error; deserving blame: also in fault

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find fault with or find fault

to seek and point out faults (of); complain (about); criticize

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to a fault

too much; excessively

SYN.- FAULT, in this comparison, refers to a definite, although not strongly condemnatory, imperfection in character [her only fault is stubbornness ]; FAILING implies an even less serious shortcoming, usually one of those common to mankind [tardiness was one of his failings]; WEAKNESS applies to a minor shortcoming that results from a lack of perfect self-control [talking too much is my weakness]; FOIBLE refers to a slight weakness that is regarded more as an amusing idiosyncrasy than an actual defect in character [eating desserts first is one of his foibles]; VICE¹, although stronger in its implication of moral failure than any of the preceding terms, does not in this connection suggest actual depravity or wickedness [gambling is his only vice] -ANT. VIRTUE