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   Fault

   /fôlt/

   

   noun

   • 1. an unattractive or unsatisfactory feature, especially in a piece of work or in a person's character: "my worst fault is impatience"
   • ▪ a break or other defect in an electrical circuit or piece of machinery: "a fire caused by an electrical fault" Similar defectflawimperfectionsnagerrormistakeinaccuracyoversightblundergaffeslipbuginformal:glitchgremlinslip-upboo-boohowlerfoul-upcock-upboobclangersnarl-up
   • ▪ a misguided or dangerous action or habit: "it has been the great fault of our politicians that they have all wanted to do something" Similar defectfailingimperfectionflawblemishshortcomingweaknessweak pointweak spotfrailtyfoiblevicelimitationlackdeficiencyAchilles heelchink in one's armorOpposite meritstrength
   • ▪ (in tennis and similar games) a service of the ball not in accordance with the rules.
   • ▪ (in show jumping) a penalty point imposed for an error.
   • 2. responsibility for an accident or misfortune: "it was his fault she had died" Similar responsibilityliabilityculpabilityblameworthinessguiltaccountabilityanswerabilityinformal:rap
   • 3. an extended break in a body of rock, marked by the relative displacement and discontinuity of strata on either side of a particular surface: "a landscape broken by numerous faults"

   verb

   • 1. criticize for inadequacy or mistakes: "her colleagues and superiors could not fault her dedication to the job"
   • ▪ do wrong: archaic "the people of Caesarea faulted greatly when they called King Herod a god"
   • 2. (of a rock formation) be broken by a fault or faults: "rift valleys where the crust has been stretched and faulted"

   Word Origin Middle Englishfaut(e) ‘lack, failing’, from Old French, based on Latin fallere ‘deceive’. The -l- was added (in French and English) in the 15th century to conform with the Latin word, but did not become standard in English until the 17th century, remaining silent in pronunciation until well into the 18th.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • F

     4

   • A

     1

   • U

     1

   • L

     1

   • T

     1

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