fail /feil/ I. vi.& vt. 1.失败；不及格(可单独使用，也可后接不定式)：He had done his best and failed. 他尽了最大努力，还是失败了。I failed in persuading/to persuade him. 我没能说服他。 fail (in) an exam/fail to pass an exam 考试不及格 2. 失灵，衰退：The engine failed. 发动机失灵。 His energy failed after his illness.病后他精力衰退。3. 使失望：When I wanted his help, he failed me.当我需要他帮忙时，他使我失望。‖II. n. 用于习语 without fail 不缺席或坚持做；一定：I go to the gym every Monday and Wednesday, without fail.我每周一和周三进体育馆，从不缺席。Be there at nine o’clock, without fail.一定九点到那里。
failure /ˈfeiljə/ n. 1.［u］失败：All his efforts ended in failure.他所有的努力结果都失败了。He was disappointed at his failure to finish his work on time. 他没有按时完成工作，非常失望。2.［c］失败的人或事：The ball was a failure because only a few people came to it. 舞会不成功，因为参加的人很少。As a writer, he was a failure.他不是个好作家。3.［u］不履行；疏忽 (可用不定冠词)：failure to keep a promise 违约 4.失灵，故障：the failure of her eyesight 她视力的失明 power failure停电：［考句］She keeps a supply of candles in the house in case of power failure. 她屋里始终有蜡烛，防止停电。
