foil1
v.
- prevent the success of.
- Hunting (of a hunted animal) cross (a scent or track) in such a way as to confuse the hounds.
n.
- Hunting the track or scent of a hunted animal.
- archaic a setback or defeat.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘trample down’): perh. from OFr. fouler ‘to full cloth, trample’, based on L. fullo ‘fuller’.
foil2
n.
- metal hammered or rolled into a thin flexible sheet.
▸a thin leaf of metal placed under a precious stone to increase its brilliance.
- a person or thing that contrasts with and so enhances the qualities of another.
- Architecture a leaf-shaped curve formed by the cusping of an arch or circle.
Etymology
ME: via OFr. from L. folium ‘leaf’.
foil3
n.
a light, blunt-edged fencing sword with a button on its point.
Derivative
Etymology
C16: of unknown origin.
foil4
n.
each of the structures fitted to a hydrofoil's hull to lift it clear of the water at speed.