foible English · revision 1901

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfɔɪbəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|foible|t=weak point]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) a noun use of the obsolete adjective ''foible'' “weak”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|fro|feble|t=weak]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) The French form is now ''faible''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) It is related to [[feeble]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In fencing, the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point (before 1648).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The fencing term was contrasted with the [[forte]], the strong part of the blade near the hilt.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) By 1673 it had been extended to a weak point or failing of character,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) which is now the main sense, usually of a minor flaw.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1648 – the weak part of a sword blade.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1673 – a failing of character.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1716 – adjective, weak, now obsolete.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A minor weakness or failing of character; a [[quirk]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(fencing)'' The weaker part of a sword blade, from the middle to the point.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[feeble]]

+ * [[forte]]

+ * [[quirk]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Random House lists ''frailty'', ''quirk'', ''crotchet'' and ''eccentricity'' as synonyms, and ''strength'' as an antonym.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}