foil
1[foil]
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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
Synonyms for foil
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
foil
1verb (tr)
noun
Word Origin for foil
C13 foilen to trample, from Old French fouler, from Old French fuler tread down, full ²
foil
2noun
verb (tr)
Word Origin for foil
C14: from Old French foille, from Latin folia leaves, plural of folium
foil
3noun
Word Origin for foil
C16: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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foil
foil
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper