IPA: /feɪnt/
KK: /feɪnt/
To make a deceptive movement or gesture, often to distract or mislead an opponent.
The boxer decided to feint to the left before throwing a punch to the right.
Past: feinted
Past Participle: feinted
A trick or deceptive move made to mislead someone, often used in sports or combat to distract an opponent from the real action.
The boxer used a feint to confuse his opponent before delivering a powerful punch.
To make a deceptive movement or action to trick someone, often used in sports or combat.
The boxer tried to feint to the left before delivering a powerful right hook.
Past: feinted
Past Participle: feinted
Feint comes from the Old French 'feinter' (meaning to feign or pretend), which itself derives from the Latin 'fingere' (meaning to shape or form). The word 'feint' refers to a deceptive or pretended movement, especially in combat or sports, where one pretends to act in one way to mislead an opponent.
Think of someone 'pretending' ('feinter') to mislead others — that's why a feint is a deceptive move.