foil

¹foil

transitive verb \ˈfȯi(-ə)l\

Definition of FOIL

1

obsolete : trample

2

a : to prevent from attaining an end : defeat <always able to foil her enemies>

b : to bring to naught : thwart <foiled the plot>

Origin of FOIL

Middle English, alteration of fullen to full cloth, from Anglo-French foller — more at full

First Known Use: 14th century

²foil

noun

Definition of FOIL

1

archaic : defeat

2

archaic : the track or trail of an animal

First Known Use of FOIL

15th century

Rhymes with FOIL

boil, broil, coil, moil, oil, royal, soil, spoil, toil

³foil

noun

Definition of FOIL

1

: very thin sheet metal <aluminum foil>

2

: a thin piece of material (as metal) put under an inferior or paste stone to add color or brilliance

3

: someone or something that serves as a contrast to another <acted as a foil for a comedian>

4

a : an indentation between cusps in Gothic tracery

b : one of several arcs that enclose a complex figure

5

: hydrofoil 1

Origin of FOIL

Middle English, leaf, from Anglo-French fuille, foille (from Latin folia, plural of folium) & fuil, from Latin folium — more at blade

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms

assay, bloom, bullion, ductile, ingot, malleable, patina, plate, temper, tensile

⁴foil

transitive verb

Definition of FOIL

1

: to back or cover with foil

2

: to enhance by contrast

First Known Use of FOIL

1611

⁵foil

noun

Definition of FOIL

1

: a light fencing sword having a usually circular guard and a flexible blade of rectangular section tapering to a blunted point — compare épée, saber

2

: the art or sport of fencing with the foil —often used in plural

Origin of FOIL

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1594

Other Combat Sports Terms

riposte, welter

foil

noun \ˈfȯil\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FOIL

: very thin sheet metal (as of gold or platinum) used especially in filling teeth