foil
1
[ foil ]
/ fɔɪl /
verb (used with object)
to prevent the success of; frustrate; balk: Loyal troops foiled his attempt to overthrow the government.
to keep (a person) from succeeding in an enterprise, plan, etc.
noun
Archaic.
a defeat; check; repulse.
Origin of foil
1
1250–1300; Middle English
foilen, < Anglo-French
foller, Old French
fuler to trample, full (cloth). See
full2
OTHER WORDS FROM foil
foil·a·ble, adjective un·foil·a·ble, adjectiveDefinition for foil (2 of 3)
foil
2
[ foil ]
/ fɔɪl /
noun
verb (used with object)
to cover or back with foil.
to set off by contrast.
Origin of foil
2
1350–1400; Middle English
foille, foil < Old French
fuelle, fueille, foille (< Latin
folia leaves),
fuel, fueil, foil (< Latin
folium leaf, blade)
Definition for foil (3 of 3)
foil
3
[ foil ]
/ fɔɪl /
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.
Origin of foil
3
First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain
Example sentences from the Web for foil
British Dictionary definitions for foil (1 of 3)
foil
1
/ (fɔɪl) /
verb (tr)
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
Derived forms of foil
foilable, adjectiveWord Origin for foil
C13
foilen to trample, from Old French
fouler, from Old French
fuler tread down,
full ²
British Dictionary definitions for foil (2 of 3)
foil
2
/ (fɔɪl) /
noun
verb (tr)
to back or cover with foil
Also: foliate architect
to ornament (windows) with foils
Word Origin for foil
C14: from Old French
foille, from Latin
folia leaves, plural of
folium
British Dictionary definitions for foil (3 of 3)
foil
3
/ (fɔɪl) /
noun
a light slender flexible sword tipped by a button and usually having a bell-shaped guard
Word Origin for foil
C16: of unknown origin