foible
English
WOTD – 11 August 2007
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈfɔɪbəl/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file) - Rhymes: -ɔɪbəl
Adjective
foible (comparative more foible, superlative most foible)
- (obsolete) Weak; feeble.
- a. 1648, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury, The Life of Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury, page 46:
- The good Fencing-maſters, in France eſpecially, when they preſent a Foyle or Fleuret to their Scholars, tell him it hath two Parts, one of which he calleth the Fort or ſtrong, and the other the Foyble or weak […]
- a. 1648, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury, The Life of Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury, page 46:
Noun
foible (plural foibles)
- A quirk, idiosyncrasy, or mannerism; unusual habit or way (usage is typically plural), that is slightly strange or silly.
- Try to look past his foibles and see the friendly fellow underneath.
- 1915, Of Human Bondage, by W.S.Maugham, chapter XLV
- They made up for the respect with which unconsciously they treated him by laughing at his foibles and lamenting his vices.
- 1959, Meriden Record, "An ounce of prevention", July 24 issue
- A weakness or failing of character.
- 1932, The Mistakes of Jesus, by William Floyd
- Jesus is reverenced as the one man who has lived unspotted by the world, free from human foibles, able to redeem mankind by his example.
- 1932, The Mistakes of Jesus, by William Floyd
- (fencing) Part of a sword between the middle and the point, weaker than the forte.
Synonyms
- (a weakness or failing of character): fault
Related terms
Translations
a quirk, idiosyncrasy, or mannerism; unusual habit or way
a weakness or failing of character
Old French
Derived terms
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