feɪl v. & n. --v. 1 intr.
not succeed (failed in persuading;
failed to
qualify;
tried but failed). 2 a tr. & intr. be
unsuccessful in (an
examination, test,
interview, etc.); be rejected as a
candidate. b tr. (of a
commodity etc.) not pass (a test of quality). c tr.
reject (a candidate etc.);
adjudge unsuccessful. 3 intr. be
unable to;
neglect to;
choose not to (I fail to see
the reason; he failed to appear). 4 tr.
disappoint; let down; not
serve when needed. 5 intr. (of supplies, crops, etc.) be or
become lacking or
insufficient. 6 intr. become weaker;
cease functioning; break down (her
health is
failing; the
engine has failed). 7 intr. a (of an enterprise)
collapse;
come to
nothing. b become
bankrupt. --n. a
failure in an examination or test. øfail-safe reverting to a
safe condition in the
event of a
breakdown etc.
without fail
for certain,
whatever happens. [ME f. OF faillir (v.), fail(l)e (n.) ult. f. L fallere deceive]
