foil

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A very thin sheet of metal.
2. (uncountable) Thin aluminium/aluminum (or, formerly, tin) used for wrapping food.
3. (countable, uncountable) A thin layer of metal put between a jewel and its setting to make it seem more brilliant.
4. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) In literature, theatre/theater, etc., a character who helps emphasize the traits of the main character and who usually acts as an opponent or antagonist, but can also serve as the sidekick of the protagonist.
5. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) Anything that acts by contrast to emphasise the characteristics of something.
6. (countable, uncountable) A very thin sword with a blunted (or foiled) tip
7. (countable, uncountable) A thin, transparent plastic material on which marks are made and projected for the purposes of presentation. See transparency.
8. (countable, uncountable) A premium trading card with a glossy finish.
9. (countable, uncountable) A stylized flower or leaf.
10. (abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable) Clipping of hydrofoil.
11. (abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable) Clipping of aerofoil/airfoil.

Verb

1. (transitive) To cover or wrap with foil.
2. (abbreviation, alt-of, clipping) Clipping of hydrofoil.

Verb

1. To prevent (something) from being accomplished.
2. To prevent (someone) from accomplishing something.
3. To blunt; to dull; to spoil.
4. (obsolete) To tread underfoot; to trample.

Verb

To expand a product of two or more algebraic expressions, typically binomials.

Verb

To defile; to soil.

Synonyms

thwart

frustrate

baffle

rapier

spoil

cross

scotch

queer

sword

defeat

hydrofoil

enhancer

bilk

transparency

wing

🪽

impede

forestall

leaf

blade

prevent

check

disturb

undo

mar

destroy

restrain

sheet

aerofoil

block

confound

obstruct

tinfoil

inhibit

lamina

stop

🛑

contrast

hinder

cutlass

tinsel

complement

balk

circumvent

ala

cancel

call off

background

ditch

broadsword

disappoint

break

Translations

Florett

florete

fleuret

Folie

fioretto

déjouer

floret

vereiteln

lamina

frustrar

feuille

ανατρέπω

Metallfolie

rapière

Pronounced as (IPA)

/fɔɪl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: foyle

Inherited from Middle English: foilen

In summary

From Middle English foyle, from Middle French fueille, from Old French fueille (“plant leaf”), from Late Latin folia, the plural of folium, mistaken as a singular feminine.
The literary sense is from the practice of backing a gem with metal foil to make it shine more brilliantly.
Doublet of folio and folium, distantly also with phyllo and phyllon.