fail

Signification

Verb

1. To be unsuccessful.
2. Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)
3. To neglect.
4. Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.
5. To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations.
6. To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.
7. To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.
8. (obsolete) To miss attaining; to lose.
9. To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence.
10. To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; used with of.
11. To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.
12. To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker.
13. (obsolete) To perish; to die; used of a person.
14. (obsolete) To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
15. To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.

Noun

1. A failure, especially of a financial transaction (a termination of an action).
2. A failing grade in an academic examination.
3. (slang) A failure (something incapable of success).
4. (slang) Poor quality; substandard workmanship.

Adj

Unsuccessful; inadequate; unacceptable in some way.

Noun

A piece of turf cut from grassland.

Prononcé comme (IPA)

/feɪl/

Étymologie

From Middle English failen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman faillir, from Vulgar Latin *fallire, alteration of Latin fallere (“to deceive, disappoint”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰāl- (“to lie, deceive”) or Proto-Indo-European *sgʷʰh₂el- (“to stumble”).
Compare Dutch feilen, falen (“to fail, miss”), German fehlen (“to fail, miss, lack”), Danish fejle (“to fail, err”), Swedish fela (“to fail, be wanting, do wrong”), Icelandic feila (“to fail”), Spanish fallar (“to fail, miss”).