Meaning of Foil | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A very thin sheet of metal or plastic.
   countable, uncountable
2. An acronym for the algorithm for multiplying two binomials.
   mnemonic
3. A small arc in the tracery of a window, etc.
4. Failure when on the point of attainment; defeat; frustration; miscarriage.
5. The track of an animal.
6. Thin aluminium/aluminum (or, formerly, tin) used for wrapping food.
   uncountable
7. One of the incorrect answers presented in a multiple-choice test.
8. A thin layer of metal put between a jewel and its setting to make it seem more brilliant.
   countable, uncountable
9. 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.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable
10. Anything that acts by contrast to emphasise the characteristics of something.
    countable, figuratively, uncountable
11. A very thin sword with a blunted (or foiled) tip
    countable, uncountable
12. A thin, transparent plastic material on which marks are made and projected for the purposes of presentation. See transparency.
    countable, uncountable
13. A premium trading card with a glossy finish.
    countable, uncountable
14. A stylized flower or leaf.
    countable, uncountable
15. Clipping of hydrofoil.
    abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable
16. Clipping of aerofoil/airfoil.
    abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“wrap the sandwich up in foil”

“Whereas the female invests heavily in the wake of conception, the male invests heavily prior to conception. Hitherto, the male has been regarded as the mere foil to the heavy investment in reproduction that renders the female the logjam (the limiting factor) in reproduction – reproduction overall is expandable by increasing the number of females, not by increasing the number of males.”

“As Puss comes to realize his legendary status is not a substitute for interpersonal connection, his interactions with Kitty and the therapy dog start to take on a surprising amount of weight, while Goldilocks serves as a well-realized foil who has more in common with Puss that is at first apparent.”

“As she a black silk cap on him begun / To set, for foil of his milk-white to serve.”

The New Arcadia

“1725-1726, William Broome, The Odyssey Hector has also a foil to set regard”

“Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not.”

“1784-1810, William Mitford, History of Greece Socrates contended with a foil against Demosthenes with a sword.”

“I personally would collect all the foils from Base Set before this one, but the market is what the market is.”

“Fame is no plant that grows on mortal foil”

“Nor e'er was fate so near a foil.”

“[…]but after giving her a dodge, here's another b— follows me upon the foil.”

CEFR level