ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fainting

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfeɪntɪŋ// UK //fˈeɪntɪŋ// faint·ing

n. a sudden, short loss of consciousness where you fall down. It usually happens when not enough blood reaches the brain.

n. a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain. Often used as a gerund to describe the medical event or the physical sensation preceding it.


SIMPLE

She felt a wave of fainting coming on in the heat.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor explained that his fainting was likely caused by dehydration and standing up too quickly.

COMPLEX

While the patient reported several episodes of fainting during the summer months, clinical tests revealed no underlying cardiac issues, suggesting the cause was purely vasovagal.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English feinting, equivalent to faint + -ing.

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