Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
FAINTLY
faintly
(adverb) to a faint degree or weakly perceived; “between him and the dim light a form was outlined faintly”; “stars shining faintly through the overcast”; “could hear his distant shouts only faintly”; “the rumors weren’t even faintly true”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
faintly
In a faint manner; very quietly or lightly.
Anagrams
• antifly
Source: Wiktionary
Faint"ly, adv.
Definition: In a faint, weak, or timidmanner.
FAINT
Faint, a. [Compar. Fainter (-r); superl. Faintest.] Etym: [OE. faint, feint, false, faint, F. feint, p.p. of feindre to feign, suppose, hesitate. See Faign, 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.
Faint, n.
Definition: The act of fainting, or the state of one who has fainted; a swoon. [R.] See Fainting, n. The saint, Who propped the Virgin in her faint. Sir W. Scott.
Faint, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Fainting.]
1. To become weak or wanting in vigor; to grow feeble; to lose strength and color, and the control of the bodily or mental functions; to swoon; -- sometimes with away. See Fainting, n. Hearing the honor intended her, she fainted away. Guardian. If I send them away fasting . . . they will faint by the way. Mark viii. 8.
2. To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to become depressed or despondent. If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Prov. xxiv. 10.
3. To decay; to disappear; to vanish. Gilded clouds, while we gaze upon them, faint before the eye. Pope.
Faint, v. t.
Definition: To cause to faint or become dispirited; to depress; to weaken. [Obs.] It faints me to think what follows. Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
22 April 2025
BRIGHT
(adjective) made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow; “bright silver candlesticks”; “a burnished brass knocker”; “she brushed her hair until it fell in lustrous auburn waves”; “rows of shining glasses”; “shiny black patents”
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