Foil
WordNet
noun
(1) A light slender flexible sword tipped by a button
(2) A piece of thin and flexible sheet metal
"The photographic film was wrapped in foil"
(3) Picture consisting of a positive photograph or drawing on a transparent base; viewed with a projector
(4) A device consisting of a flat or curved piece (as a metal plate) so that its surface reacts to the water it is passing through
"The fins of a fish act as hydrofoils"
(5) Anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities
"Pretty girls like plain friends as foils"
verb
(6) Cover or back with foil
"Foil mirrors"
(7) Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
"What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge"
"Foil your opponent"
(8) Enhance by contrast
"In this picture, the figures are foiled against the background"
WiktionaryText
Etymology 1
From , from , the plural of , mistaken as a singular feminine.
Noun
- A very thin sheet of metal.
- Thin aluminium/aluminum (or, formerly, tin) used for wrapping food.
- A thin layer of metal put between a jewel and its setting to make it seem more brilliant.
- In literature, theatre/theater, etc, a character who helps emphasize the traits of the main character.
- Anything that acts to emphasise the characteristics of something.
- A very thin sword with a blunted (or foiled) tip
- A thin, transparent plastic material on which marks are made and projected for the purposes of presentation. See transparency.
- Shortened form of hydrofoil.
- Shortened form of aerofoil/airfoil.
Etymology 2
From , from , ultimately from .
Verb
- To prevent (something) from being accomplished.
- To multiply two binomials together.