foil

UK: fɔɪl | US: fɔɪl

Definition

  1. n. a thin, flexible sheet of metal

  2. vt. to prevent the success of something; to thwart

  3. n. a light fencing sword with a blunted tip

  4. n. a person or thing that contrasts with another to emphasize qualities

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word "foil" has multiple distinct meanings, each with separate origins:

  1. Metal sheet: From Old French foille ("leaf, sheet"), derived from Latin folium ("leaf"). The sense evolved to describe thin metal layers resembling leaves.
  2. To thwart: Likely from Old French fuler ("to trample, defeat"), influenced by the idea of crushing or flattening opposition.
  3. Fencing sword: Possibly from the practice of wrapping the blade tip with a "foil" (metal sheet) to blunt it.
  4. Contrasting element: Derived from the practice of placing a shiny foil behind a gem to enhance its brilliance, metaphorically extended to comparisons.
Examples

  1. She wrapped the sandwich in aluminum foil to keep it fresh.

  2. The hero foiled the villain’s plan at the last moment.

  3. He trained daily with a foil to improve his fencing skills.

  4. Her cheerful demeanor was the perfect foil to his gloomy mood.

  5. The detective’s cleverness foiled the robbery attempt.