† feignn.
Obsolete. rare.
The action of feigning; pretence, deceit. In phrase, without feign.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > [noun]
foxingc1220
feignc1320
faintise1340
simulation1340
dissimulingc1374
likenessc1384
dissimulationc1386
coverture1393
dissemblationc1425
assimulationa1450
dissemblec1480
fiction1483
dissemblinga1500
irony1502
dissimulance1508
dissembly?c1550
blindation1588
counterfeisance1590
misseeming1590
supposing1596
dissemblance1602
guise1662
dissimulating1794
make-believe1794
representation1805
sham-Abra(ha)m1828
make-belief1837
pretence1862
make-believing1867
postiche1876
kid-stakes1916
smoke and mirrors1980
c1320 Cast. Love 1482 Another that come fro hevyn, with~out feyn.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
feignv.
/feɪn/, U.S. /feɪn/ I. In material sense.
1. transitive. To fashion, form, shape. Obsolete except as nonce-use after Latin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > shape or give shape to [verb (transitive)]
i-schapeOE
shapec1000
afaite?c1225
feigna1300
form1340
deformc1384
proportionc1384
throwc1390
figure?a1400
parec1400
mould1408
fashion1413
portrayc1450
effigure1486
porture1489
moul1530
shapen1535
frame1553
proportionate1555
efform1578
inform1590
formate1599
to shape out1600
infigure1611
figurate1615
immodelize1649
effinge1657
effigiate1660
configure1857
carpenter1884
a1300 E.E. Psalter xciii. [xciv.] 9 Þat feinyhes egh, noght sees with-al?
1877 L. Morris Epic of Hades i. 71 A dull fretful child Crushes its toys and knows not with what skill Those feeble forms are feigned.
II. To fashion fictitiously or deceptively.† 6. To put a false appearance upon; to disguise, dissemble, conceal. Obsolete.† 7. reflexive.† b. To assume a deceptive bearing. Obsolete.† 11. To pretend to make (a pass) or to deal (a blow); also absol. to make a feint. Obsolete.† 12. Music. (a) To sing softly, hum an air; (b) to sing with due regard to the ‘accidentals’, which the old notation did not indicate. [See Musica ficta in Grove Dict. Music; compare also French par feinte ‘by the alteration of a semitone’.] Obsolete.
2. † b. to feign (a slander, fault) upon, against: to allege falsely against, attribute falsely to. Obsolete.† c. To invent, ‘coin’ (a word). Obsolete.† d. To contrive (a deception). Obsolete.
a. To invent (a story, excuse, accusation); to forge (a document).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > fabrication of statement or story > a false or foolish tale > invent (story, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > deprive of mythical character
feign1297
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 421 Somme feynede a delay.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 175 Thou hast feigned This tale.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22007 Nathing sal I fene yow neu.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 373 Somme fables be feynede for cause of delectation.
1534 T. Cranmer Let. 20 Dec. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. II. 317 All that ever she said was fayned of her owne ymagynacion.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. i. 16 As I find little, so I will feign nothing.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. vii. 265 There is nothing in the Characters, which would raise a Thought of their being feigned.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. ii. 19 Shall we say that the author..feigned this anecdote of St. Paul?
1862 Ld. Brougham Brit. Constit. (ed. 3) x. 128 Fables, feigned by the superstition..of the people.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > detract from [verb (transitive)] > assert or attribute falsely
to feign (a slander, fault) upon, against1535
falsify1606
affain1632
1535 G. Joye Apol. Tindale 1 Sclaunders fayned upon me.
c1610–15 Life Holie Helena in C. Horstmann Lives Women Saints (1886) 31 She fayned her owne falte on the chaste yong prince.
1654 tr. M. Martini Bellum Tartaricum 205 Having feigned many crimes against the Priests.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > linguistic unit > use or formation of new words or phrases > [verb (transitive)]
coin1589
new-coin1591
feign1607
minta1643
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 532 In Germany they cal it Pile and Zisel, and of this Germaine word was the Latine Citellus feigned.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 129 A peculiar voyce, which the French call by a feigned word Reere.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > devise, contrive, or make up, compose, or concoct
craftOE
befind1297
visec1325
contrive1377
temper1390
preparate?a1425
brew1530
to make up1530
forge1549
compact1576
mint1593
feign1690
to get up1828
the mind > will > intention > planning > plotting > plot (a purpose) or hatch (a plot [verb (transitive)]
compass1297
procurec1300
purchasec1300
contrivec1330
conspirec1384
brewc1386
awaitc1400
surmise1509
devisec1515
practise1531
machinate1537
forge1547
hatch1565
plot1589
pack1590
appost1602
feign1690
intrigue1747
scheme1767
1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 170 They fain a wile..among themselves.
3. † b. absol. and intransitive. To make fictitious statements; to indulge in fiction. Obsolete.
a. To relate or represent in fiction; to fable. Const. with simple compl., with object and infinitive, or with sentence as object. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > fiction > relate or represent in fiction [verb (transitive)]
feign1413
fable1553
to story out1570
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483) v. viii. 99 Orpheus was so swete an harpoure as the clerkes feynen that [etc.].
a1569 A. Kingsmill Viewe Mans Estate (1580) 15 The Poets..fained there were iii She Goddesses in contention for their beautie.
1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. Oiiij Harpyes..whome the Poets feynzeis to represent theuis.
1598 R. Barckley Disc. Felicitie of Man ii. 117 Diogenes is fained to see the rich king Crœsus among the dead.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State ii. viii. 77 Well did the Poets feigne Pallas Patronesse of arts and armes.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ ii. xvii. 34 They faind a Post to com puffing upon the stage.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 627 Things..worse Then Fables yet have feign'd . View more context for this quotation
1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. ii. 42 Atlas..is feign'd by the Ancients to carry the World upon his Shoulders.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) I. 65/2 The poets feign of Hercules, that only with a club and lion's skin he travelled over the world.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague iii. i. 343 Drest is she all in white, as Poets feign The angel Innocence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > fabrication of statement or story > invent, concoct [verb (intransitive)]
feignc1384
fictionize1934
fiction1961
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame iii. 388 Oon seyde that Omere made lyes, Feyninge in his poetryes.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 419 Ouyd..feynit in his fablis.
1570 B. Googe tr. T. Kirchmeyer Popish Kingdome i. f. 1 Nor unaduisedly we speake, nor rashly thereof fayne.
1607 B. Jonson Volpone ii. i. sig. D2v He that should write But such a fellow, should be thought to faine Extremely. View more context for this quotation
1636 R. James Iter Lancastrense (1845) 4 If storyes do not faine.
4. † b. To imagine, believe erroneously and arbitrarily. Const. with object and infinitive, or object clause.
a. (More fully, †to feign to oneself.) To conjure up (delusive representations); to picture to oneself, imagine (what is unreal). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > fancy or fantastic notion > indulge in fancy [verb (intransitive)]
to feign to oneself1377
feign1557
chimerize1651
wanton1794
fantasticate1880
pipe-dream1910
fantasize1926
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. Prol. 36 Somme..Feynen hem fantasies.
1525 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. ix. 15 (margin) They fain themself no pain.
1578 T. Timme tr. Calvin Comm. Gen. Cain..feigned to himself so many enemies, as there were men in the world.
1608 Bp. J. Hall Characters Vertues & Vices ii. 91 Either there are bugs, or hee faineth them.
1630 R. Norton tr. W. Camden Hist. Princesse Elizabeth i. 44 Some..feigned vnto themselues vaine dreames.
1674 J. Owen Disc. Holy Spirit (1693) 200 Men have but deceived themselves..when they have feigned a Glory and a Beauty of the Church in other things.
1886 E. Gurney et al. Phantasms of Living I. 499 A sane..mind..can feign voices where there is silence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > fancy or fantastic notion > indulge in fancy [verb (intransitive)]
to feign to oneself1377
feign1557
chimerize1651
wanton1794
fantasticate1880
pipe-dream1910
fantasize1926
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > fancy or fantastic notion > conceive in fancy [verb (transitive)]
fantasyc1430
feign1557
fantasticate1600
fancya1643
fantasize1950
the mind > mental capacity > belief > school of thought > hold faith [verb (intransitive)] > erroneously
misbelievea1530
feign1557
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes (new ed.) f. 88v The soules..Are not in such a place, As foolish folke do faine.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. xii. sig. Kkv Art thou yet aliue, whom dead I long did faine . View more context for this quotation
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. vi. 137 We faine, that some Angell and intellectuall Spirite dooth walk with the Comet.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ i. iv. §11 The Straights, where they fained Hercules his pillars to be.
a1727 I. Newton Short. Chron. 1st Memory in Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) 29 The ancients..feigned that this Island..had been as big as all Europe.
c. To assume fictitiously for purposes of calculation. archaic or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > supposition, surmise > taking for granted, presumption > assume, presuppose [verb (transitive)] > as basis for argument
seta1340
supposec1350
posec1385
putc1390
to put (also set) the casec1405
suppositionc1449
demit1556
suppose1594
s'pose1632
case1647
feign1688
posit1697
postulate1705
1688 M. Prior Ode Exod. iii. 14 vi And he too..Studies new Lines, and other Circles feigns.
1812 R. Woodhouse Elem. Treat. Astron. i. 3 The bounding line of the horizon is feigned to be a circle.
1812 R. Woodhouse Elem. Treat. Astron. x. 77 It becomes necessary then, to feign an observer in the center of the earth.
5. transitive. To assert or maintain fictitiously; to allege, make out, pretend. Const. †with simple object or complement (rare), with object and infinitive, or with sentence as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > false assertion > assert falsely [verb (transitive)]
feigna1300
liea1300
pretend1395
belie1561
misallege1566
pretence1567
perjurea1586
soothe1591
falsify1606
mislaya1626
misaffirma1631
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, simulate, feign [verb (transitive)]
mitheeOE
bipechec1000
huec1000
feigna1300
unlikena1382
counterfeitc1400
pretend1402
dissimulec1430
dissimule1483
simule?a1500
semble1530
counterfeit1534
dissemblea1538
suppose1566
countenance1590
mock1595
assume1604
to put on1625
assimulate1630
personate1631
to take on1645
simulate1652
forge1752
sham1775
possum1850
to turn on1865
fake1889
a1300 E.E. Psalter xciii. [xciv.] 20 Whor sete of wicknes sal cleve to þe, Þate feinyhes swinke in bode to be?
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Dido. 932 Feyning the hors y-offred to Minerve.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 61 Þe kyng..wolde..feyne trespas for to byneme hem [Englisshe] here money.
1541 R. Barnes Wks. (1573) 189/1 To faine God to bee displeased with your king.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxxiiv Fayning that he was thycke of hearyng.
?1554 tr. H. Latimer Protestation in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) III. ii. xxiv. 90 That which is fayned of many, I for my Parte, take it but for a Papistical Invention.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 37 The right valeant (whose soon thwart feigned) Achilles.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xviii. 188 And, feigning that his doing so was needful to the welfare of the cookery.
1863 J. W. Draper Intell. Devel. Europe i. 4 [Man] has been feigned..to possess another immaterial principle.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > present speciously [verb (transitive)] > conceal real state
dissimulec1374
feigna1393
shroud1412
abuse?a1439
counterfeit1490
cloak1509
dissemblea1535
maska1593
dissimulate1610
disguisea1616
pretext1634
mascherate1654
veil1700
camouflage1917
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > present speciously [verb (transitive)] > pass off as
feigna1393
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 3468 Sche hath hir oghne bodi feigned, For feere as thogh sche wolde flee Out of hir lond.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 2397 The lady fayndit..The lowe quhich long hath ben In to his thocht.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 34 Poeyetis..With ffablis and falshed fayned þere speche.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 253 The ffalshed he faynit vnder faire wordes.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iii. sig. Pv Both doe striue their fearefulnesse to faine.
a. To disguise one's sentiments, practise dissimulation, dissemble. Also intransitive for reflexive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > undutifulness > [verb (intransitive)] > by false pretences
feignc1290
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > dissemble [verb (reflexive)]
feignc1290
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 186, Vincent 49 Þov feinest þe.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2376 Naþeles he fenede him, þat me vnder ȝete it noȝt.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xxiii. 13 If he shul feyne [L. si dissimulaverit] he shal trespasen double.
a1400 Leg. Rood (1871) 85 All for noght þou feynes þe.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 14 When she it sough, she fayned her.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. vii. 6 It was counsailed to the kyng..hym selfe to fayne.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Mortimer xix Bid them beware their enmies when they faine.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > dissemble [verb (reflexive)] > assume a role
braidc1275
feign1488
date1612
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 208 Quhen Wallace feld thar curage was so small He fenȝeit him for to comfort thaim all.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. FFvv Fayne thy selfe to appere outwardely, more perfyte..than thou arte.
8.
a. transitive. To make a show of, put on an appearance of, put on, pretend, simulate, sham; †to pretend to utter (words).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > present speciously [verb (transitive)]
showc1175
feignc1340
clothe1393
colourc1400
gloze1430
pretence1548
whiten1583
maska1593
vizard1628
tissuea1639
to whiten up1746
act1790
veneer1875
histrionize1876
window dress1913
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 10 Ypocrittes..feyne gud dede with-owttene.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 85 Duke Edrik..feynynge a vomet..seide þat he was seek.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 181 She feigned wordes in his ere.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 344 To fenyhe foly quhile is wyt.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3597 Fayne euer feire chere.
1598 R. Tofte Alba iii. sig. G5 All was fained, twas not from the hart.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge v. iii. sig. I3 Each man straines To faine a iocund eye.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. v. 385 Escaped death, onely by feigning it.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1784 II. 567 The serenity that is not felt, it can be no virtue to feign.
a1839 W. M. Praed Poems (1864) II. 162 The agony Which others feel or feign.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. vi. 72 They are both feigning sickness this morning.
b. absol. To practise simulation.
ΚΠ
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 2 He seemeth to faine, by vttering things clean contrary to his mind.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 474 It may stand him more in stead to..feign . View more context for this quotation
1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 99 Tho' she be fair I will not fenzie.
a1774 O. Goldsmith Madrigal 3 in Misc. Wks. (1895) 691 Myra, too sincere for feigning.
1849 C. Brontë Shirley II. ii. 65 She cannot feign; she scorns hypocrisy.
9.
a. With reflexive.pron. as object followed by simple complement, †as, or to be: To make oneself appear, put on an appearance of being. †Formerly in wider use, with the reflexive object followed by infinitive, that, as that.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [verb (reflexive)]
feign1297
abuse?a1439
counterfeit1610
personate1710
to pass off1770
to hold out1829
to work off1894
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 336 He feynede hym somdel syk.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4233 He sal hym feyn first als haly.
c1386 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale 706 Sche feyned hir as that sche moste goon.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 59 A wel false traytour..þat couþe wel feyne hym self trewe frende.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ix. 128 Tho..feynede hem blynde.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xv. 66 A mysdoer..þat..thurgh his enchauntementz feyned him ane aungell.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 97/1 She fayned her alleway to be seke.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 204 The Queene..did feyne her selfe that shee would go on pilgrimage.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xiv. 2 Faine thy selfe to be a mourner.
1726 D. Defoe Polit. Hist. Devil i. xi. 180 The Devil made David..feign himself mad.
1859 S. Smiles Self-help iii. 53 To..reconcile myself to it..is more manly than to feign myself above it.
b. intransitive. To pretend, make oneself appear. Const. to with infinitive †Formerly with the same constructions as the reflexive use above.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [verb (intransitive)]
letc1000
faitc1330
counterfeitc1374
dissimulec1374
feignc1400
showc1405
supposea1450
fare1483
simule?a1500
dissemble1523
pretend1526
frame1545
cloakc1572
jouk1573
pretent1582
disguisea1586
devise1600
semble1603
coin1607
insimulate1623
fox1646
sham1787
dissimulate1796
gammon1819
to let on1822
simulate1823
possum1832
simulacrize1845
to put on an act1929
to put on (also up) a show1937
prat1967
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) iii. 10 He made signe of etyng and feyned as he had etyn.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6344 He feynd als he þe toumbe walde kys.
1570 J. Foxe tr. Zwingli Let. in Actes & Monuments (rev. ed.) II. 1004/2 He that hath no faith, and yet faineth or pretendeth to haue.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. M8 Feigning..in euery limb to quake, Through inward feare.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 6 Fayning to goe recreate himselfe..gave order publikly.
1784 Unfortunate Sensibility II. 47 I have sometimes feigned sick, when I had no other succedaneum for avoiding their parties.
1786 H. More Florio 29 Yet feign'd to praise the vulgar treat.
1843 R. W. Emerson Carlyle in Wks. (1906) III. 312 Such an appeal to the conscience..as cannot be..feigned to be forgotten.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend I. ii. xvi. 319 Tremlow..feigns to compare the portrait.
10. † b. To adulterate. Obsolete. rare.† c. To pass off (a thing) for something else.
a. To counterfeit, imitate deceptively (esp. a voice, handwriting).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > forgery, falsification > forge, falsify [verb (transitive)]
forgec1330
counterfeitc1386
feign1484
flamc1500
adulterate?1526
mint1593
fashion1600
fudge1674
sham1699
doctor1750
fake1884
to fake up1885
phoney1940
bodgie1969
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ii. ix The wulf..faynynge the gotes voyce sayd.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vii. sig. F6 Truth, whose shape she [sc. deceipt] well can faine.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. iv. 117 It was not difficult to disguise, or to feign a voice.
1867 R. W. Emerson May-day & Other Pieces 88 Feigning dwarfs, they crouch and creep.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > mix or blend [verb (transitive)] > add as ingredient to a mixture > qualify by admixture > adulterate
adulterc1384
feigna1398
sophisticatec1400
infect?1440
counterfeit1495
adulterate?1526
dash1548
falsify1562
elay1573
abuse1574
base1581
corrupt1581
debase1591
adulterize1593
compass1594
sophisticate1604
allay1634
huckster1642
hucksterize1646
cauponize1652
alloy1661
balderdash1674
impurify1693
doctor1726
vitiate1728
sand1851
dope1898
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. v. 905 Þe tree of aloes is yfeyned [L. sophisticatum] wiþ a tree þat is yliche þerto in wighte and in knottis.
1614 T. Adams Diuells Banket vi. 324 Sometimes they faine it [sc. this Balme] with water.
ΚΠ
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 17 Lo, how they feignen chalk for chese.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike (of weapon) [verb (intransitive)] > make false blow
feignc1386
feint1854
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with a weapon [verb (transitive)] > make false blow
feignc1386
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [verb (intransitive)] > in movement
feignc1386
to false a blow1590
feint1854
to take a dive1942
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, simulate, feign [verb (transitive)] > action, etc.
counterfeit1340
feign1632
feint1833
c1386 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 1757 He feyneth on his foot with a tronchoun.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. xix Some whyle they fayned, some whyle they strake as wyld men.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 3 Making with his point towards the others face, and faining a passage..The Prince..fained at him divers foynes.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > sing [verb (intransitive)] > sing in low tone
feignc1440
record1483
toodle1865
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > sing [verb (transitive)] > sing softly
feignc1440
loll1655
croon1790
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 153/1 Feynyn yn syngynge, or synge lowe.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. HHHiiiv Nat..feynyng, but wt a full brest & hole voyce.
a1529 J. Skelton Agaynste Comely Coystrowne 53 He techyth them..to solf & to fayne.
a1529 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte 233 His throte was clere, and lustely coude fayne.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 548/1 We maye nat synge out..but lette us fayne this songe.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique 72 He feyneth to the lute marveilouse swetely.
13. † b. transitive. To shirk, avoid fulfilling (a command); to ‘shuffle out of’ (one's word). Obsolete.
a. [After Old French feindre, se feindre.] intransitive and reflexive. To avoid one's duty by false pretences; to shirk, flinch, hang back. Also with infinitive: To be reluctant or afraid to do something; to avoid, shirk (doing). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > avoid > avoid duty, work, or exertion
feignc1300
lurk1551
slug1642
skulk1781
malinger1820
mike1838
shirk1853
slinker1880
scrimshank1882
pike1889
scow1901
spruce1916
to swing the lead1917
bludge1919
to dodge the column1919
skive1919
to screw off1943
to do a never1946
to fuck off1946
to dick off1948
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (reflexive)] > avoid or shun > avoid duty or work
feignc1300
reserve1586
c1300 K. Alis. 5884 Perdicas feyned noughth, For als a wode lyoun he faughth.
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 317 Noon of hem..feyned To singe.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 1734 Feyne ȝow noghte feyntly..Bot luke ȝe fyghte faythe~fully.
c1400 Rom. Rose 1797 Never this archer wolde feyne To shete at me.
c1400 Rom. Rose 2996 If I may helpe you in ought, I shall not faine.
14.. J. Lydgate Temple Glas 996 She me constreyned..To ȝoure seruise, & neuer forto feyne.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 4721 Ye se me feyne neuer a dele.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xx. 228 On both parties thus I play, And fenys me to ordan The right.
1523–5 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. I. cccxiii. 194 b There they made a great assaut. The Englysshmen fayned nat.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 566 Exhortand thame..for na fray to feinȝie nor to fle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > evade (responsibility or obligation)
feignc1300
quita1425
waivec1440
to shift off1577
shift?1611
balk1631
to go off ——1749
c1300 Beket 42 Gilbert..feignede his word her and ther: and ne grantede noȝt.
c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 473 Lordes hestes mow not ben i-feynit.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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