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
11250–1300; Middle English foilen, < Anglo-French foller, Old French fuler to trample, full (cloth). See full2
OTHER WORDS FROM foil
foil·a·ble, adjectiveun·foil·a·ble, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for foilable (1 of 3)
foil1
/ (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 foilable (2 of 3)
foil2
/ (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 foilable (3 of 3)
foil3
/ (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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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