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

Etymology: 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