c. 1300, "dispiritedly, timidly, half-heartedly;" early 14c. "feebly, wearily, without vigor;" from faint (adj.) + -ly (2). Meaning "indistinctly" is from 1580s. Also in Middle English, "deceitfully, hypocritically, falsely" (mid-14c.).
雙語例句
1. He was already asleep in the bed, which smelled faintly of mildew.
他已經(jīng)在略帶霉味的床上睡著了。
來自柯林斯例句
2. From the slope below, the wild goats bleated faintly.
山坡下面，野山羊咩咩地輕聲叫著。
來自柯林斯例句
3. John smiled faintly and shook his head.
約翰微微笑了笑，搖了搖頭。
來自柯林斯例句
4. The still air smelt faintly of furniture polish.