Standard Lemma guide

faintheartedness

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The quality or state of being fainthearted.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1899, Dante Gabriel Rossetti (transl.), The New Life (La Vita Nuova) of Dante Alighieri, Siddall edition, pages 77-78. In the third, I say what it is I purpose to speak so as not to be impeded by faintheartedness.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the trait of lacking boldness and courage

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • faintness of heart and infirmity of purpose

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: faintness

Antonyms: stoutheartedness

Broader terms: timidity, timorousness

History

Etymology

From fainthearted + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Ancient Greek: ἀθυμία (athumía) — The quality or state of being fainthearted
  • Polish: atymia — The quality or state of being fainthearted
  • Romanian: temere — The quality or state of being fainthearted
  • Turkish: ürkeklik — The quality or state of being fainthearted