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foil
1[foil]
foil
2[foil]
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.
Architecture., an arc or a rounded space between cusps, as in the tracery of a window or other ornamentation.
verb (used with object)
to cover or back with foil.
to set off by contrast.
foil
3[foil]
noun
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
1/ fɔɪl /
noun
metal in the form of very thin sheets
gold foil
tin 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
verb
to back or cover with foil
Also: foliate. architect to ornament (windows) with foils
foil
2/ fɔɪl /
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
3/ fɔɪl /
noun
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
Origin of foil2
Origin of foil3
Word History and Origins
Origin of foil1
Origin of foil2
Origin of foil3
Example Sentences
Progressive voices have long been treated as punchlines, typically serving as foils to conservative voices on mainstream and cable news.
Dozens of times, local police have found half-drilled holes and abandoned equipment, suggesting his holdup attempts were foiled.
A misconduct hearing for a Metropolitan Police firearms officer who fatally shot a man during a foiled prison break in 2015 has been discontinued.
Meanwhile, the reticent Teller serves as the perfect foil.
New South Wales police last week said they had foiled an attempted murder by a so-called "kill team" and arrested three men involved.
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