Part 33

Fals"ism (?), n. That which is evidently false; an assertion or statement the falsity of which is plainly apparent; -- opposed to truism.

Fal"si*ty (?), n.;pl. Falsities (#). [L. falsitas: cf. F. faussetÈ, OF. also, falsitÈ. See False, a.] 1. The quality of being false; coutrariety or want of conformity to truth.

Probability does not make any alteration, either in the truth or falsity of things.

South.

2. That which is false; falsehood; a lie; a false assertion.

Men often swallow falsities for truths.

Sir T. Brown.

Syn. -- Falsehood; lie; deceit. -- Falsity, Falsehood, Lie. Falsity denotes the state or quality of being false. A falsehood is a false declaration designedly made. A lie is a gross, unblushing falsehood. The falsity of a person's assertion may be proved by the evidence of others and thus the charge of falsehood be fastened upon him.

Fal"ter (?), v. t. To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse or sift, as barley. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Fal"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Faltered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Faltering.] [OE. falteren, faltren, prob. from fault. See Fault, v. & n.] 1. To hesitate; to speak brokenly or weakly; to stammer; as, his tongue falters.

With faltering speech and visage incomposed.

Milton.

2. To tremble; to totter; to be unsteady. "He found his legs falter." Wiseman.

3. To hesitate in purpose or action.

Ere her native king Shall falter under foul rebellion's arms.

Shak.

4. To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; -- said of the mind or of thought.

Here indeed the power of disinct conception of space and distance falters.

I. Taylor.

Fal"ter, v. t. To utter with hesitation, or in a broken, trembling, or weak manner.

And here he faltered forth his last farewell.

Byron.

Mde me most happy, faltering "I am thine."

Tennyson.

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Fal"ter (?), n. [See Falter, v. i.] Hesitation; trembling; feebleness; an uncertain or broken sound; as, a slight falter in her voice.

The falter of an idle shepherd's pipe.

Lowell.