different between failing vs frailty

English

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?fe?.l??/
• Rhymes: -e?l??

Verb

failing

1. present participle of fail

Noun

failing (plural failings)

1. weakness; defect

   His worst failing is his temper.

Translations

Preposition

failing

1. if the preferred or prior option is not possible

   A large proportion of the females employed in other firms are said to have signified their intention of going on strike, failing a settlement.

Translations

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French fraileté, from Latin fragilit?s. Doublet of fragility.

Noun

frailty (countable and uncountable, plural frailties)

1. (uncountable) The condition quality of being frail, physically, mentally, or morally; weakness of resolution; liability to be deceived.
   • 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 36, n. 1.

     the limitations and restraints of civil government, and a legal constitution, may be defended, either from reason, which reflecting on the great frailty and corruption of human nature, teaches, that no man can safely be trusted with unlimited authority ;

   Synonyms: frailness, infirmity

2. A fault proceeding from weakness; foible; sin of infirmity.

Related terms

• frail

Translations

References

• frailty in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.