fault (2 and the sense ‘defect, imperfection’ are the most freq. S. meanings; 4? only S.)
1.
lack, want, in phr. “for
of,” in the absence of, for want of Wiv. I. iv. 17, 2H4 II. ii. 47, Rom. II. iv. 132.
2.
something wrongly
done; also in obs. phr. “do” or “make a ,” commit
an offence Wiv. V. v. 9, Wint. III. ii. 218,
R2 I. ii. 5, Lucr. 804, Sonn. xxxv.
5.
3.
(in hunting) a break
in the line of scent, loss of scent
Tw.N. II. v. 142
“the cur is excellent at
f-”
; phr. “cold
fault,” cold or lost scent Shr. Ind. I. 20,
Ven. 694.