foil¹ Definition
foil (fo̵il)
transitive verb
- to keep from being successful; thwart; frustrate
- Hunting to make (a scent, trail, etc.) confused, as by recrossing, in order to balk the pursuers
Etymology: ME foilen < OFr fuler, to trample on, subdue: see full
noun
- Archaic the scent or trail of an animal
- Archaic a thwarting
foil² Definition
foil (fo̵il)
noun
- a leaflike, rounded space or design between cusps or in windows, etc., as in Gothic architecture
- a very thin sheet or leaf of metal; specif., such a sheet, as of aluminum, used for wrapping food, etc.
- the metal coating on the back of a mirror
- a thin leaf of polished metal placed under an inferior or artificial gem to give it brilliance
- a person or thing that sets off or enhances another by contrast
Etymology: ME < OFr fuil (Fr feuille), a leaf < L folia < folium, leaf: see foliate
transitive verb
- to cover or back with foil
- Rare to serve as a contrast to
- to decorate (windows, etc.) with foils
foil³ Definition
foil (fo̵il)
noun
- a long, thin fencing sword with a button on the point to prevent injury
- the art or sport of fencing with foils
Etymology: < ?
foil Synonyms
foil
n.
Leaf metal
aluminum foil, lead foil, gold foil, tin foil, film, flake, leaf, sheet. A person or thing that sets off another
complement, antithesis, counterpart; see contrast 2, opposite.
foil Synonyms
foil Usage Examples
Object
- robbery: Remote monitoring technology has already enabled the Co-Op to foil an armed robbery at a store near Sheffield.
- plot: I do not know whether it is true, but the police claim to have foiled two dirty bomb plots in London.
Converse of object
- grease: Wrap the roll loosely in greased foil and place in a large saucepan.
- wrap: Charcoal tablets are foil wrapped in tubes of 10.
Preposition: behind
radiator: Putting aluminum foil behind the radiators will also reflect the heat back into your rooms saving about £ 10 per year per radiator.
Preposition: over
grill: If Whole Fish: Again put foil over the grill pan.
Adjective modifier
- holographic: Holograms or Holographic foils are standard means of overt consumer assurance of authenticity.
- metallic: It involves cutting pieces of galss to form a pattern followed by wrapping the edges with thin strips of metallic foil.
- perfect: What would be the perfect foil for the Zero?
Modifies a noun
- sachet: The only disappointment is that the tartare sauce doesn't come in a little foil sachet.
- balloon: Plain 18 " foil balloons can be personalized with your message in gold or silver.
- cutter: Comes complete with a cross cut foil cutter, this corkscrew will open bottles in seconds.
- wrapper: Samples were almost exclusively purchased as 250g blocks, most with a paper wrapper although some had foil wrappers.
- pouch: For the long term storage, the seed of each plant is kept in a separate foil pouch.
- parcel: To bake, season the fish and wrap in foil parcels with some fresh herbs, and a little white wine and/or stock.
Noun used with modifier
- aluminum: Please put only clean aluminum foil in the bank.
- aluminum: The walls of your growing room should be painted white or covered with aluminum foil to reflect the light.
- tin: The best utensils for cleaning a barbecue are a wire brush or crumpled tin foil.
- copper: How do I remove the broken glass from the copper foil without causing further damage?
- silver: Cover the bottle with black paper or silver foil to make the worms think they are underground!

