51Թ

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View synonyms for

foil

1

[foil]

verb (used with object)

  1. to prevent the success of; frustrate; balk.

    Loyal troops foiled his attempt to overthrow the government.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. to keep (a person) from succeeding in an enterprise, plan, etc.

noun

  1. Archaic.a defeat; check; repulse.

foil

2

[foil]

noun

  1. metal in the form of very thin sheets.

    aluminum foil.

  2. the metallic backing applied to glass to form a mirror.

  3. a thin layer of metal placed under a gem in a closed setting to improve its color or brilliancy.

  4. a person or thing that makes another seem better by contrast.

    The straight man was an able foil to the comic.

    Synonyms: , ,

  5. Architecture.an arc or a rounded space between cusps, as in the tracery of a window or other ornamentation.

  6. an airfoil or hydrofoil.

verb (used with object)

  1. to cover or back with foil.

  2. to set off by contrast.

foil

3

[foil]

noun

Fencing.

  1. a flexible four-sided rapier having a blunt point.

  2. foils, the art or practice of fencing with this weapon, points being made by touching the trunk of the opponent's body with the tip of the weapon.

foil

1

/ ɔɪ /

noun

  1. metal in the form of very thin sheets

    gold foil

    tin foil

  2. the thin metallic sheet forming the backing of a mirror

  3. a thin leaf of shiny metal set under a gemstone to add brightness or colour

  4. a person or thing that gives contrast to another

  5. architect a small arc between cusps, esp as used in Gothic window tracery

  6. short for aerofoil hydrofoil

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to back or cover with foil

  2. Also: foliate.architect to ornament (windows) with foils

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

foil

2

/ ɔɪ /

verb

  1. to baffle or frustrate (a person, attempt, etc)

  2. hunting (of hounds, hunters, etc) to obliterate the scent left by a hunted animal or (of a hunted animal) to run back over its own trail

  3. archaicto repulse or defeat (an attack or assailant)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. hunting any scent that obscures the trail left by a hunted animal

  2. archaica setback or defeat

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

foil

3

/ ɔɪ /

noun

  1. a light slender flexible sword tipped by a button and usually having a bell-shaped guard

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • foilable adjective
  • unfoilable adjective
  • ˈڴǾ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of foil1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English foilen, fuylen “to trample, oppress, torment, mortify (the flesh),” irregular variant of fullen “to trample, full (cloth),” from Anglo-French foller, Old French fuler, from Vulgar Latin ڳܱ, from Latin ڳܱō “fuller, launderer”; full 2

Origin of foil2

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English foil, foille “leaf (of a plant or a book),” from Old French fuelle, fueille, foille (from Latin folia “leaves,” reinterpreted as a feminine singular noun) and from Old French fuel, fueil, foil (from Latin folium “leaf of a plant, blade”)

Origin of foil3

First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of foil1

C14: from Old French foille , from Latin folia leaves, plural of folium

Origin of foil2

C13 foilen to trample, from Old French fouler , from Old French fuler tread down, full ²

Origin of foil3

C16: of unknown origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Notes to John” requires a compelling foil for Didion, and Roger MacKinnon is that: Director of the Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, former president of the New York Psychiatric Society, author, revered clinician.

From

But Zephyr is as worldly as Bruce is, meaning that she’s a cunning foil to his long-running string of untraceable serial murders.

From

But whether federal or state politicians could foil a Trump settlement is murky.

From

Russell’s powerful, at times operatic, vocals and energetic stage presence proved the perfect foil for Ron’s distinctly quirky mien and adroit facility with words and keys.

From

Arrests were also made over a kidnapping attempt against a person with ties to the crypto sector which was foiled by police in the Nantes region of western France on Monday, local media outlets reported.

From

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