fɔ:lt n. & v. --n. 1 a
defect or
imperfection of
character or of
structure,
appearance, etc. 2 a break or
other defect in an
electric circuit. 3 a transgression,
offence, or
thing wrongly
done. 4 a
Tennis etc. a service of
the ball
not in
accordance with the rules. b (in showjumping) a
penalty for an
error. 5
responsibility for wrongdoing, error, etc. (it will be
your own fault). 6 a defect regarded as the
cause of
something wrong (the fault lies in the
teaching methods). 7 Geol. an extended break in the
continuity of
strata or a
vein. --v. 1 tr.
find fault with;
blame. 2 tr.
declare to be
faulty. 3 tr. Geol. break the continuity of (strata or a vein). 4 intr.
commit a fault. 5 intr. Geol.
show a fault. øat fault
guilty; to blame. fault-finder a
person given to continually
finding fault. fault-finding
continual criticism. find fault (often foll. by with)
make an
adverse criticism;
complain. to a fault (usu. of a
commendable quality etc.) excessively (generous to a fault). [ME faut(e) f. OF ult. f. L fallere FAIL]
