~ 1
■ noun
1》 a person who acts unwisely.
↘ archaic a person who is duped or imposed on.
2》 historical a jester or clown, especially one retained in a royal or noble household.
■ verb
1》 trick, deceive, or dupe.
2》 (usu. ~ about/around ) act in a joking or frivolous way.
↘( ~ around ) chiefly N. Amer. engage in casual or extramarital sexual activity.
■ adjective N. Amer. informal ~ish or silly.
Phrases
be no (or nobody's ) ~ be shrewd or prudent.
make a ~ of trick or deceive (someone) so that they look ~ish.
↘( make a ~ of oneself ) appear ~ish through incompetent or inappropriate behaviour.
more ~ —— the specified person is behaving unwisely.
Derivatives
~ery noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. fol '~, ~ish', from L. follis 'bellows, windbag', by extension 'empty-headed person'.
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~ 2
■ noun chiefly Brit. a cold dessert made of puréed fruit mixed or served with cream or custard.
Origin
C16: perh. from ~ 1 .