▪ I. † fait, n. Law. Obs.
[a. Fr. fait deed, act: see the variant feat.]
a. A deed. b. In the translation of Perkins: Act of parties, as distinguished from operation of law.
| 1562 Act 5 Eliz. c. 14 §12 Convicted..in an Action of forger of false Faytes. 1642 tr. Perkins' Prof. Bk. iii. §191. 85 The difference betweene a license in fait and a license in Law. 1651 W. G. tr. Cowel's Inst. 182 Amongst those Obligations in writing, which wee call Faits or Deeds. |
▪ II. fait
obs. form of feat.
▪ III. † fait, v.1 Obs.
Also 4 fayte(n.
[? Back-formation from faitour.]
1. intr. To act or speak falsely, use false pretences; to beg on false pretences.
| c 1320 Sir Tristr. 3054 Falsly canestow fayt. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xv. 208 Alle suche þei faiten. 1393 Ibid. C. i. 43 Faytynge for hure fode. |
2. trans. To deceive, lead astray.
| c 1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 76 My fleissche in ouerhope wolde me faite. |
Hence ˈfaiting vbl. n., deceit, pretence.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. x. 38 But þo þat feynen hem folis, and with faityng libbeth. |
▪ IV. † fait, v.2 Obs.
[ad. OF. faitier, f. fait, pa. pple. of faire to do.]
trans. To arrange, construct, fit.
| 1635–6 Burgh Rec. Glasgow I. 482 Hinging of the said bell and faiting all wark thairto. |