Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FEINT, n. [Fr. feinte, from feindre.]

1. An assumed or false appearance; a pretense of doing something not intended to be done. Courtley's letter is but a feint to get off. Spectator.
2. A mock attack; an appearance of aiming at one part when another is intended to be struck. In fencing, a show of making a thrust at one part, to deceive an antagonist when the intention is to strike another part. Prior. Encyc.