1640s, failer, "a failing, deficiency," also "act of failing," from Anglo-French failer, Old French falir "be lacking; not succeed" (see fail (v.)). The verb in Anglo-French used as a noun; ending altered 17c. in English to conform with words in -ure. Meaning "thing or person considered as a failure" is from 1837.
his failure to pass the test
the surprise party was a complete failure
that year there was a crop failure
he felt that his entire life had been a failure
he resented my failure to return his call
the mechanic's failure to check the brakes
fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks
kidney failure
Fahrenheit
faience
fail
failing
fail-safe
failure
fain
faineant
faint
faint-hearted
faintish
