Foible

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈfɔɪbəl/

Definitions

1. A minor weakness or peculiar habit in someone's character that is generally harmless or endearing
2. A small flaw or quirk in an individual's personality that often adds charm to their character
3. A trivial defect or eccentricity in someone's behavior that is typically seen as benign or lovable

Etymology: Your word is a doublet of "feeble", the two forms split apart in English. Both descend from Latin "flebilis", meaning "lamentable" or "deserving tears", from "flere", "to weep". Over the centuries the Latin root passed into Old French as "feble" and, with a later spelling shift, into English as "feeble", which kept the sense of weakness and frailty. The other branch stayed in French as "faible", "weak", and entered English around 1640–50 as "foible", borrowed in its Early Modern French form. What makes this word distinctive is how far its meaning drifted from weakness. The English borrowing first meant a weak point or failing, a flaw of character or a shortcoming, but over time the sense softened. A foible became a minor, harmless eccentricity: the habit of a friend who always arrives ten minutes late, or a fondness for one particular dessert. The flaw no longer undermines the person; it is part of what makes them recognisable and endearing.

Synonyms: weakness, flaw, defect, shortcoming, imperfection

Antonyms: strength, virtue, asset, merit, advantage