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Definitions for Foil

[1] to prevent the success of; frustrate; balk: Loyal troops foiled his attempt to overthrow the government.
[2] to keep (a person) from succeeding in an enterprise, plan, etc.
[3] Archaic . a defeat; check; repulse.
[4] metal in the form of very thin sheets: aluminum foil.
[5] the metallic backing applied to glass to form a mirror.
[6] a thin layer of metal placed under a gem in a closed setting to improve its color or brilliancy.
[7] a person or thing that makes another seem better by contrast: The straight man was an able foil to the comic.
[8] Architecture . an arc or a rounded space between cusps, as in the tracery of a window or other ornamentation.
[9] an airfoil or hydrofoil.
[10] to cover or back with foil.
[11] to set off by contrast.
[12] a flexible four-sided rapier having a blunt point.
[13] 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.
[14] to baffle or frustrate (a person, attempt, etc)
[15] 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
[16] archaic to repulse or defeat (an attack or assailant)
[17] hunting any scent that obscures the trail left by a hunted animal
[18] archaic a setback or defeat
[19] metal in the form of very thin sheets gold foil ; tin foil
[20] the thin metallic sheet forming the backing of a mirror
[21] a thin leaf of shiny metal set under a gemstone to add brightness or colour
[22] a person or thing that gives contrast to another
[23] architect a small arc between cusps, esp as used in Gothic window tracery
[24] short for aerofoil, hydrofoil
[25] to back or cover with foil
[26] Also: foliate architect to ornament (windows) with foils
[27] a light slender flexible sword tipped by a button and usually having a bell-shaped guard

Words related to Foil

hinder, prevent, thwart, counter, elude, frustrate, nullify, curb, counterblow, complement, setting, guard, defense, background, antithesis, cramp, rattle, skip, shake, disconcert

Words nearby Foil

foh, foi, foia, foible, foie gras, foil, foilborne, foiled, foilsman, foin, foism

Origin of Foil

3First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

Other words from Foil

foil·a·ble , adjective
un·foil·a·ble , adjective

Word origin for Foil

C16: of unknown origin

Synonyms for Foil

antithesis, background, complement, counterblow, defense, guard, setting