Adjacent Words

Faintest definitions

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Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Faint Faint (f[=a]nt), a. [Compar. Fainter (-[~e]r); superl. Faintest.] [OE. feint, faint, false, faint, F. feint, p. p. of feindre to feign, suppose, hesitate. See Feign, and cf. Feint.] 1. Lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as, faint with fatigue, hunger, or thirst. 2. Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly; dejected; depressed; as, ``Faint heart ne'er won fair lady.'' --Old Proverb. 3. Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the senses feebly; not bright, or loud, or sharp, or forcible; weak; as, a faint color, or sound. 4. Performed, done, or acted, in a weak or feeble manner; not exhibiting vigor, strength, or energy; slight; as, faint efforts; faint resistance. The faint prosecution of the war. --Sir J. Davies.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

You can use faintest for emphasis in negative statements. For example, if you say that someone hasn't the faintest idea what to do, you are emphasizing that they do not know what to do. I haven't the faintest idea how to care for a snake... = slightest, remotest ADJ: ADJ n, with neg [emphasis]