I. ˈfȯi(-ə)l transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of fullen to full cloth, from Anglo-French foller — more at full
Date: 14th century
1. obsolete : trample
2.
a. : to prevent from attaining an end : defeat
always able to foil her enemies
b. : to bring to naught : thwart
foil ed the plot
Synonyms: see frustrate
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. archaic : defeat
2. archaic : the track or trail of an animal
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, leaf, from Anglo-French fuille, foille (from Latin folia, plural of folium ) & fuil, from Latin folium — more at blade
Date: 14th century
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
IV. transitive verb
Date: 1611
1. : to back or cover with foil
2. : to enhance by contrast
V. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1594
1. : a light fencing sword having a usually 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 plural