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fault definition

fault (fôlt)

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
fault Idioms

at fault

  1. unable to find the scent: said of hunting dogs
  2. not knowing what to do; perplexed
  3. guilty of error; deserving blame

find fault (with)

to seek and point out faults (of); complain (about); criticize

to a fault

too much; excessively

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Just find any fault, please.112 months ago
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