foible

foible
    n 1: a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to
         an individual [syn: {idiosyncrasy}, {foible}, {mannerism}]
    2: the weaker part of a sword's blade from the forte to the tip
    

Foible \Foi"ble\, a. [OF. foible. See {Feeble}.]
   Weak; feeble. [Obs.] --Lord Herbert.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Foible \Foi"ble\, n.
   1. A moral weakness; a failing; a weak point; a frailty.
      [1913 Webster]

            A disposition radically noble and generous, clouded
            and overshadowed by superficial foibles. --De
                                                  Quincey.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The half of a sword blade or foil blade nearest the point;
      -- opposed to {forte}. [Written also {faible}.]

   Syn: Fault; imperfection; failing; weakness; infirmity;
        frailty; defect. See {Fault}.
        [1913 Webster]
    

42 Moby Thesaurus words for "foible":
      bad habit, besetting sin, blemish, bug, catch, crack, crotchet,
      defect, defection, deficiency, drawback, eccentricity, failing,
      failure, fault, faute, flaw, frailty, hang-up, hole, idiosyncrasy,
      imperfection, inadequacy, infirmity, kink, little problem,
      moral flaw, peculiarity, preoccupation, problem, quirk, rift,
      shortcoming, snag, something missing, taint, vice,
      vulnerable place, weak link, weak point, weak side, weakness