faineant

See also: fainéant

English

Alternative forms

• fainéant

Etymology

From Old French fay neant, alteration of feignant (“idler”), present participle of feindre, modelled on fait (“does”) + neant (“nothing”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfeɪneɪˌɒn/

Noun

faineant (plural faineants)

1. An irresponsible or lazy person.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:idler

Derived terms

• faineant deity
• faineantism

References

• Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, 1973

Middle French

Noun

faineant m (plural faineans)

1. lazy person; faineant