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foil

[ foil ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to prevent the success of; frustrate; balk:
Loyal troops foiled his attempt to overthrow the government.
Synonyms: , ,
to keep (a person) from succeeding in an enterprise, plan, etc.

noun

Archaic. a defeat; check; repulse.

foil

[ foil ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

metal in the form of very thin sheets:
aluminum foil.
the metallic backing applied to glass to form a mirror.
a thin layer of metal placed under a gem in a closed setting to improve its color or brilliancy.
a person or thing that makes another seem better by contrast:
The straight man was an able foil to the comic.
Synonyms: , ,
Architecture. an arc or a rounded space between cusps, as in the tracery of a window or other ornamentation.
an airfoil or hydrofoil.

verb (used with object)

to cover or back with foil.
to set off by contrast.

foil

[ foil ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Fencing.

a flexible four-sided rapier having a blunt point.
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

/ ��ɔɪ�� /

verb

to baffle or frustrate (a person, attempt, etc)
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
archaic.
to repulse or defeat (an attack or assailant)

noun

hunting any scent that obscures the trail left by a hunted animal
archaic.
a setback or defeat

foil

/ ��ɔɪ�� /

noun

metal in the form of very thin sheets
tin foil
gold foil
the thin metallic sheet forming the backing of a mirror
a thin leaf of shiny metal set under a gemstone to add brightness or colour
a person or thing that gives contrast to another
architect a small arc between cusps, esp as used in Gothic window tracery
short for aerofoil hydrofoil

verb

to back or cover with foil
Alsofoliate architect to ornament (windows) with foils

foil

/ ��ɔɪ�� /

noun

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

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Derived Forms

ˈ�ڴǾ��, adjective

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Other Word Forms

�ڴǾ��a·�� adjective
un·�ڴǾ��a·�� adjective

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Word 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 �ڳܱ��ō “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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Word History and Origins

Origin of foil¹

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

Origin of foil²

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

Origin of foil³

C16: of unknown origin

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Burkina Faso's military government has said it foiled a "major plot" to overthrow junta leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré, with the army alleging the plotters were based in neighbouring Ivory Coast.

From

Some wrap their ham in foil to prevent drying out, but this can hinder the glaze’s ability to caramelize.

From

About 13 years ago, a similar heist was foiled when the culprits were caught in the act, the owner said.

From

For Americans, tariffs on Chinese goods could raise prices on household items as varied as aluminum foil, syringes, toys and textiles.

From

It showed up at church potlucks under domed foil lids, in school lunch trays beside pools of canned peaches, and on our weeknight table with unfussy regularity.

From

foie gras foilborne

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