from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fail \Fail\ (f[=a]l) v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Failed} (f[=a]ld); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Failing}.] [F. failir, fr. L. fallere, falsum,
to deceive, akin to E. fall. See {Fail}, and cf. {Fallacy},
{False}, {Fault}.]
1. To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in
any measure or degree up to total absence; to cease to be
furnished in the usual or expected manner, or to be
altogether cut off from supply; to be lacking; as, streams
fail; crops fail.
[1913 Webster]
As the waters fail from the sea. --Job xiv. 11.
[1913 Webster]
Till Lionel's issue fails, his should not reign.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be
deficient or unprovided; -- used with of.
[1913 Webster]
If ever they fail of beauty, this failure is not be
attributed to their size. --Berke.
[1913 Webster]
3. To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay;
to sink.
[1913 Webster]
When earnestly they seek
Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
4. To deteriorate in respect to vigor, activity, resources,
etc.; to become weaker; as, a sick man fails.
[1913 Webster]
5. To perish; to die; -- used of a person. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Had the king in his last sickness failed. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
6. To be found wanting with respect to an action or a duty to
be performed, a result to be secured, etc.; to miss; not
to fulfill expectation.
[1913 Webster]
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this. --Ezra
iv. 22.
[1913 Webster]
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
7. To come short of a result or object aimed at or desired;
to be baffled or frusrated.
[1913 Webster]
Our envious foe hath failed. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
8. To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
[1913 Webster]
Which ofttimes may succeed, so as perhaps
Shall grieve him, if I fail not. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
9. To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to
be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business
obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent; as, many
credit unions failed in the late 1980's.
[1913 Webster]