foiled

[ foild ]

/ fɔɪld /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR foiled ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Architecture.

ornamented with foils, as a gable, spandrel, or balustrade.

Nearby words

foia, foible, foie gras, foil, foilborne, foiled, foilsman, foin, foism, foison, foist

Origin of foiled

First recorded in 1655–65; foil² + -ed³

Related forms

un·foiled, adjective

Definition for foiled (2 of 3)

foil

[ 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

1250–1300; Middle English foilen, < Anglo-French foller, Old French fuler to trample, full (cloth). See full²

SYNONYMS FOR foil

1 thwart; impede, hamper.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR foil ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

foil·a·ble, adjectiveun·foil·a·ble, adjective

Definition for foiled (3 of 3)

foil

[ foil ]

/ fɔɪl /

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.

an airfoil or hydrofoil.

verb (used with object)

to cover or back with foil.

to set off by contrast.

Origin of foil

1350–1400; Middle English foille, foil < Old French fuelle, fueille, foille (< Latin folia leaves), fuel, fueil, foil (< Latin folium leaf, blade)

SYNONYMS FOR foil

4 contrast, complement, counterpart.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR foil ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for foiled

A few days later, an Associated Press story reported that Western intelligence agencies had foiled an AQAP plot.
Meet the Terrorist Who Most Terrifies America’s Terrorist Hunters|Daniel Klaidman|August 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In 2002, an Islamist plot to poison the London underground with ricin was foiled as well.
Ricin Scare at the White House: An Eerie Post-9/11 Echo|John Avlon|April 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But then the Bangladeshi whose bomb plot was foiled yesterday turned his aim to the New York Fed.
New York Terror Plot: Why Target the Fed?|Daniel Gross|October 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Among them was an attempt in 2011—foiled at the last minute—to plant a homemade backpack bomb at a Martin Luther King Jr.
Wisconsin Sikh Massacre Reveals Need for Domestic Antiterrorism Unit|Errol Louis|August 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Twice in the last two years, the Saudis foiled al Qaeda plots to attack American cities.
The Return of Prince Bandar: Saudi’s New Spy Chief|Bruce Riedel|July 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Foiled for the time being in his constructive policy, Borrow turned his attention to one of destruction.
The Life of George Borrow|Herbert Jenkins
I had an adventure with a couple of thieves and I foiled them; they've got seventy pistols.
Pee-wee Harris on the Trail|Percy Keese Fitzhugh
But all his schemes were foiled by Cicero, who added unwearied activity to extraordinary penetration.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume III|John Lord
You have foiled me, and conquered: be it so; I congratulate you.
Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Foiled for the time being they made for the south coast, where they recruited their strength at one of the outlying settlements.
The Explorers of Australia and their Life-work|Ernest Favenc

British Dictionary definitions for foiled (1 of 3)

foil

/ (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

foilable, adjective

Word Origin for foil

C13 foilen to trample, from Old French fouler, from Old French fuler tread down, full ²

British Dictionary definitions for foiled (2 of 3)

foil

/ (fɔɪl) /

noun

metal in the form of very thin sheetsgold 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

short for aerofoil, hydrofoil

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 foiled (3 of 3)

foil

/ (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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012