Faintier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Less clearly seen, heard, or felt than something else, having a weaker or more indistinct quality
2. Comparatively more dim, muted, or feeble in appearance, sound, or strength than another thing
3. Showing a lesser degree of visibility, volume, or intensity when set against something more vivid

Etymology: "Faintier" is the comparative of "fainty," which means "faint" in the sense of slightly weak or dim, and it is simply "faint" with the suffix "-y" attached, followed by the comparative ending "-ier." The "-y" suffix turns an adjective or noun into one describing a quality, and "fainty" is a loose, informal variant of "faint" in that spirit. So "faintier" means more faint, or fainter in an informal, emphatic way. The base word "faint" comes from Old French "faint," meaning weary or cowardly, the past participle of "faindre," to feign or shirk. Its sense of pale, dim, or weak developed from the idea of being worn out or lacking strength.