Fail (fāl) v. i. [imp. & p. p. Failed (fāld); p. pr. & vb. n. Failing.] [F. failir, fr. L. fallere, falsum, to deceive, akin to E. fall. See Fail, and cf. Fallacy, False, Fault.] 1. To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence; to cease to be furnished in the usual or expected manner, or to be altogether cut off from supply; to be lacking; as, streams fail; crops fail.
[1913 Webster]

As the waters fail from the sea. Job xiv. 11.
[1913 Webster]

Till Lionel's issue fails, his should not reign. Shak.
[1913 Webster]

2. To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; -- used with of.
[1913 Webster]

If ever they fail of beauty, this failure is not be attributed to their size. Berke.
[1913 Webster]

3. To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.
[1913 Webster]

When earnestly they seek
Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail. Milton.
[1913 Webster]

4. To deteriorate in respect to vigor, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker; as, a sick man fails.
[1913 Webster]

5. To perish; to die; -- used of a person. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

Had the king in his last sickness failed. Shak.
[1913 Webster]

6. To be found wanting with respect to an action or a duty to be performed, a result to be secured, etc.; to miss; not to fulfill expectation.
[1913 Webster]

Take heed now that ye fail not to do this. Ezra iv. 22.
[1913 Webster]

Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale. Shak.
[1913 Webster]

7. To come short of a result or object aimed at or desired ; to be baffled or frusrated.
[1913 Webster]

Our envious foe hath failed. Milton.
[1913 Webster]

8. To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
[1913 Webster]

Which ofttimes may succeed, so as perhaps
Shall grieve him, if I fail not. Milton.
[1913 Webster]

9. To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent; as, many credit unions failed in the late 1980's.
[1913 Webster]

Fail, n. [OF. faille, from failir. See Fail, v. i.] 1. Miscarriage; failure; deficiency; fault; -- mostly superseded by failure or failing, except in the phrase without fail. “His highness' fail of issue.” Shak.
[1913 Webster]

2. Death; decease. [Obs.] Shak.
[1913 Webster]