fail

I. verb Etymology: Middle English failen, from Anglo-French faillir, from Vulgar Latin *fallire, alteration of Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint Date: 13th century intransitive verb 1. a. to lose strength ; weaken <

her health was failing

> b. to fade or die away <

until our family line fails

> c. to stop functioning normally <

the patient's heart failed

> 2. a. to fall short <

failed in his duty

> b. to be or become absent or inadequate <

the water supply failed

> c. to be unsuccessful <

the marriage failed

>; specifically to be unsuccessful in achieving a passing grade <

took the exam and failed

> d. to become bankrupt or insolvent transitive verb 1. a. to disappoint the expectations or trust of <

her friends failed her

> b. to miss performing an expected service or function for <

his wit failed him

> 2. to be deficient in ; lack <

never failed an invincible courage — Douglas MacArthur

> 3. to leave undone ; neglect <

fail to lock the door

> 4. a. to be unsuccessful in passing <

failed chemistry

> b. to grade (as a student) as not passing • failingly adverb II. noun Date: 13th century 1. failure — usually used in the phrase without fail 2. a failure (as by a security dealer) to deliver or receive securities within a prescribed period after purchase or sale