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: hamper, impede, thwart

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: counterpart, complement, contrast

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

/ fɔɪl /

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

verb

1. to back or cover with foil

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

foil

²

/ fɔɪl /

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. archaic,  to repulse or defeat (an attack or assailant)

noun

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

2. archaic,  a setback or defeat

foil

³

/ fɔɪl /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• foilable adjective
• unfoilable adjective

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 fullāre, from Latin fullō “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

Word 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

Example Sentences

It's easy to dismiss Teddy as crazy, with foil on the windows around his house, but the film gradually shows more of his character and explores the factors that shaped his personality.

From BBC

A 16-year-old who helped to prepare a foiled attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last year has avoided prison.

From BBC

The products were packaged in individual foil packets in a cardboard box.

From Salon

Of course, it’s always possible that Democrats could pull out a large enough win in the popular vote in those states that the GOP’s plans would be foiled.

From Salon

Malnourished, with bulging eyes and a skeletal frame, she unwrapped the foil slowly, took a few small bites and then paused.

From Salon

Related Words

• counter 
• curb 
• elude 
• frustrate 
• hinder 
• nullify 
• prevent 
• thwart