What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between habit and foible?

habit | foible |

As nouns the difference between habit and foible

is that habit is an action done on a regular basis 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 habit

is to clothe.

As an adjective foible is

weak; feeble.

habit

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl), from (etyl) ; see have.

Noun

(en noun)
  • An action done on a regular basis.
  • * Washington Irving
  • a man of very shy, retired habits
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-19, author= Ian Sample
  • , volume=189, issue=6, page=34, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Irregular bedtimes may affect children's brains , passage=Irregular bedtimes may disrupt healthy brain development in young children, according to a study of intelligence and sleeping habits .  ¶ Going to bed at a different time each night affected girls more than boys, but both fared worse on mental tasks than children who had a set bedtime, researchers found.}}
  • An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
  • A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
  • A piece of clothing worn uniformly for a specific activity.
  • (archaic) Outward appearance; attire; dress.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.
  • * Addison
  • There are, among the statues, several of Venus, in different habits .
  • * 1719 , (Daniel Defoe), (Robinson Crusoe)
  • it was always my fate to choose for the worse, so I did here; for having money in my pocket and good clothes upon my back, I would always go on board in the habit of a gentleman; and so I neither had any business in the ship, or learned to do any.
  • (botany) form of growth or general appearance of a variety or species of plant, e.g. erect, prostrate, bushy.
  • An addiction.
  • Synonyms
    * (l)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) habiten, from (etyl) habiter, from (etyl) ; see have.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To clothe.
  • (archaic) To inhabit.
  • 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