fainting

Faint \Faint\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fainted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Fainting}.]
   1. To become weak or wanting in vigor; to grow feeble; to
      lose strength and color, and the control of the bodily or
      mental functions; to swoon; -- sometimes with away. See
      {Fainting}, n.
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            Hearing the honor intended her, she fainted away.
                                                  --Guardian.
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            If I send them away fasting . . . they will faint by
            the way.                              --Mark viii.
                                                  8.
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   2. To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to
      become depressed or despondent.
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            If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength
            is small.                             --Prov. xxiv.
                                                  10.
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   3. To decay; to disappear; to vanish.
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            Gilded clouds, while we gaze upon them, faint before
            the eye.                              --Pope.
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Fainting \Faint"ing\, n.
   Syncope, or loss of consciousness owing to a sudden arrest of
   the blood supply to the brain, the face becoming pallid, the
   respiration feeble, and the heat's beat weak.
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   {Fainting fit}, a fainting or swoon; syncope. [Colloq.]
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