[foil] vt [ME, to trample, full cloth, fr. MF fouler--more at full] (14c) 1 obs: trample
2. a: to prevent from attaining an end: defeat b: to bring to naught: thwart syn see frustrate
[2]foil n [ME, leaf, fr. MF foille (fr. L folia, pl. of folium) & foil, fr. L folium--more at blade] (14c) 1: very thin sheet metal "aluminum ~"
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 ~ 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 [3]foil n (15c) 1 archaic: defeat
2. archaic: the track or trail of an animal [4]foil n [origin unknown] (1594) 1: a light fencing sword having a usu. circular guard and a flexible blade of rectangular section tapering to a blunted point--compare epee, saber
2: the art or sport of fencing with the foil--often used in pl. [5]foil vt (1611) 1: to back or cover with foil
2: to enhance by contrast