1. n., v., & adj.
--n.
1. a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a stupid person.
2 hist. a jester; a clown.
3 a dupe.
--v.
1. tr. deceive so as to cause to appear foolish.
2 tr. (foll. by into + verbal noun, or out of) trick; cause to do something foolish.
3 tr. play tricks on; dupe.
4 intr. act in a joking, frivolous, or teasing way.
5 intr. (foll. by about, around) behave in a playful or silly way.
--adj. US colloq. foolish, silly.
Phrases and idioms:
act (or play) the fool behave in a silly way. fool's errand a fruitless venture. fool's gold iron pyrites. fool's paradise happiness founded on an illusion. fool's parsley a species of hemlock resembling parsley. make a fool of make (a person or oneself) look foolish; trick or deceive. no (or nobody's) fool a shrewd or prudent person.
Etymology: ME f. OF fol f. L follis bellows, empty-headed person 2. n. a dessert of usu. stewed fruit crushed and mixed with cream, custard, etc.
Etymology: 16th c.: perh. f. FOOL(1)