foible

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
  2. noun the weaker part of a sword's blade from the forte to the tip

Etymology

1640–50, from Early Modern French foible (“feeble”) (contemporary French faible). Doublet of feeble.

In classic literature

Synonyms

idiosyncrasy, mannerism

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading