faintful
adjEtymology From faint + -ful.
1
Displaying weakness, frailty, or faintness; fainting; dejected
- The shepherd sighs upon the barren hills / To see his bleating lambs with faintful looks / Behold the vallies robb'd of springing flowers, / That whilom wont to yield them yearly food.1825, John Payne Collier, Robert Dodsley, A select collection of old plays:
- When I look into the dainty eyes / I wash away the tears built inside, / Voices unheard, children's faintful cries / Teardrops falling down in disguise.2010, Concetta Tina Scarpitti, Mysterious Eyes:
3 more examples
- The heights dizzied her, spiralling stone promising faintful vistas.2012, Casimir Greenfield, Bloodstones:
- George's initial reaction to his assignments shows, he only vaguely comprehends what he is being asked to do, much less how to do it: “Founder! Founder! Those I thought I grasped, I gasped at; most signified not a thing to me. . . .Fist to brow I told them over, faintful list, and struck at each”.2012, Derek C. Maus, Unvarnishing Reality:
- Those who are sad are saddled / Those who are doubtful are downful / Those who are fearful are faintful / Those who are faintful are failure / Those who are defeated are deleted.2015, Basil Essien, The Seekers' Elixir: