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Demerit vs Foible - What's the difference?

demerit | foible |

As nouns the difference between demerit and foible

is that demerit is (senseid) a quality of being inadequate; a fault; a disadvantage while foible is a quirk, idiosyncrasy, or mannerism; unusual habit or way (usage is typically plural), that is slightly strange or silly.

As a verb demerit

is (archaic) to deserve.

As an adjective foible is

(obsolete) weak; feeble.

demerit

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (senseid) A quality of being inadequate; a fault; a disadvantage
  • * Burke
  • They see no merit or demerit in any man or any action.
  • * Sir W. Temple
  • Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or offense.
  • A mark given for bad conduct to a person attending an educational institution or serving in the army.
  • *2002 , , by G.W.Bush:
  • *:A few of you have followed in the path of the perfect West Point graduate, Robert E. Lee, who never received a single demerit' in four years. Some of you followed in the path of the imperfect graduate, Ulysses S. Grant, who had his fair share of ' demerits , and said the happiest day of his life was "the day I left West Point." (Laughter.)
  • That which one merits or deserves, either of good or ill; desert.
  • * Holland
  • By many benefits and demerits whereby they obliged their adherents, [they] acquired this reputation.

    Synonyms

    * discredit

    Antonyms

    * merit

    Derived terms

    * demerit point

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To deserve.
  • * 1840 , Alexander Campbell, Dolphus Skinner, A discussion of the doctrines of the endless misery and universal salvation (page 351)
  • You hold that every sin is an infinite evil, demeriting endless punishment.
  • * Udall
  • If I have demerited any love or thanks.
  • (archaic) To depreciate or cry down.
  • * Bishop John Woolton
  • Faith by her own dignity and worthiness doth not demerit justice and righteousness; but receiveth and embraceth the same offered unto us in the gospel

    Anagrams

    * * *

    foible

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Weak; feeble.
  • (Lord Herbert)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A quirk, idiosyncrasy, or mannerism; unusual habit or way (usage is typically plural), that is slightly strange or silly.
  • Try to look past his foibles and see the friendly fellow underneath.
  • * 1915 ,
  • They made up for the respect with which unconsciously they treated him by laughing at his foibles and lamenting his vices.
  • * 1959 , Meriden Record, " An ounce of prevention", July 24 issue
  • Final fillip in the Vice-President's study has been a boning up]] on Premier Khrushchev's favorite foible , proverbs. The bibulous Russian leader likes to throw out homely [[homily, homilies in his speeches and conversations..
  • (fencing) Part of a sword between the middle and the point, weaker than the forte.
  • A weakness or failing of character.
  • * 1932 , , by William Floyd
  • Jesus is reverenced as the one man who has lived unspotted by the world, free from human foibles , able to redeem mankind by his example.

    Synonyms

    * (a weakness or failing of character) fault