First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1foil
verb \ˈfȯi(-ə)l\
Definition of FOIL
transitive verb
1
obsolete : trample
2
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Origin of FOIL
Middle English, alteration of fullen to full cloth, from Anglo-French foller — more at full
Synonym Discussion of FOIL
frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent <frustrated attempts at government reform>. thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing <the army thwarted his attempt at a coup>. foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort <foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her>. baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling <baffled by the maze of rules and regulations>. balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances <officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime>.
2foil
noun
Definition of FOIL
1
archaic : defeat
2
archaic : the track or trail of an animal
First Known Use of FOIL
15th century
3foil
noun
Definition of FOIL
1
: very thin sheet metal <aluminum foil>
2
: a thin piece of material (as metal) put under an inferior or paste stone to add color or brilliance
3
: someone or something that serves as a contrast to another <acted as a foil for a comedian>
4
a : an indentation between cusps in Gothic tracery b : one of several arcs that enclose a complex figure
5
: hydrofoil 1
Origin of FOIL
Middle English, leaf, from Anglo-French fuille, foille (from Latin folia, plural of folium) & fuil, from Latin folium — more at blade
First Known Use: 14th century
4foil
verb
Definition of FOIL
transitive verb
1
: to back or cover with foil
2
: to enhance by contrast
First Known Use of FOIL
1611
5foil
noun
Definition of FOIL
1
2
: the art or sport of fencing with the foil —often used in plural
Origin of FOIL
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1594
FOIL Defined for Kids
1foil
verb \ˈfȯil\
foiledfoil·ing
Definition of FOIL for Kids
: to prevent from achieving a goal <Police foiled the bank robbery.>
2foil
noun
Definition of FOIL for Kids
: a very thin sheet of metal <aluminum foil>
3foil
noun
Definition of FOIL for Kids
: a fencing sword having a light flexible blade with a blunt point
Medical Dictionary
foil
noun \ˈfȯil\
Medical Definition of FOIL
: very thin sheet metal (as of gold or platinum) used especially in filling teeth
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