fault

Fault means a mistake or a weakness.

(noun)

An example of fault is having a problem telling the truth.

Fault is defined as to blame or to commit a mistake.

(verb)

  1. An example of fault is for a child to blame a broken vase on his brother.
  2. An example of fault is to tell a lie.

The definition of a fault is a weakness in the rock strata that can shift and create an earthquake.

(noun)

An example of fault is the San Andreas fault line in California.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See fault in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. Obsolete failure to have or do what is required; lack
  2. something that mars the appearance, character, structure, etc.; defect or failing
  3. something done wrongly; specif.,
    1. a misdeed; offense
    2. an error; mistake
  4. responsibility for something wrong; blame: it's her fault that they are late
  5. Elec. a defect or point of defect in the wiring or connections of a circuit, which prevents the current from following the intended path
  6. Geol. a fracture or zone of fractures in rock strata together with movement that displaces the sides relative to one another
  7. Hunting a break in the line of the scent
  8. Volleyball, Tennis
    1. an improper serve; specif., a serve that hits the net or lands outside the court
    2. a ball improperly served

Origin: ME faute < OFr faulte, a lack < VL *fallita < *fallitus, for L falsus: see false

transitive verb

  1. to find fault with; blame or criticize
  2. Geol. to cause a fault in

intransitive verb

  1. to commit a fault: archaic except in racket sports
  2. Geol. to develop a fault

See fault in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A character weakness, especially a minor one.
    b. Something that impairs or detracts from physical perfection; a defect. See Synonyms at blemish.
    c. A mistake; an error.
    d. A minor offense or misdeed.
  2. Responsibility for a mistake or an offense; culpability. See Synonyms at blame.
  3. Geology A fracture in the continuity of a rock formation caused by a shifting or dislodging of the earth's crust, in which adjacent surfaces are displaced relative to one another and parallel to the plane of fracture. Also called shift.
  4. Electronics A defect in a circuit or wiring caused by imperfect connections, poor insulation, grounding, or shorting.
  5. Sports A bad service, as in tennis.
  6. Obsolete A lack or deficiency.
verb fault·ed, fault·ing, faults
verb, transitive
  1. To find error or defect in; criticize or blame.
  2. Geology To produce a fault in; fracture.
verb, intransitive
  1. To commit a mistake or an error.
  2. Geology To shift so as to produce a fault.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English faulte

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *fallita

Origin: , from variant of Latin falsa

Origin: , feminine past participle of fallere, to deceive, fail

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fault

top: normal fault

center: reverse fault

bottom: strike-slip fault

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fault

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