Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect: an all-too-human foible.
- the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point (opposed to forte).
noun
- a slight peculiarity or minor weakness; idiosyncrasy
- the most vulnerable part of a sword’s blade, from the middle to the tipCompare forte 1 (def. 2)
1640s, “weak point of a sword blade” (contrasted to forte), from French foible (n.), from obsolete foible (adj.) “weak,” from Old French foible “feeble,” dissimilated from Lain flebilis (see feeble). Extended sense of “weak point of character” is first recorded 1670s. Related: Foibles.