Foil (foil), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Foiled (foild); p. pr. & vb. n. Foiling.] [F. fouler to tread or trample under one's feet, to press, oppress. See Full, v. t.] 1. To tread under foot; to trample.
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King Richard . . . caused the ensigns of Leopold to be pulled down and foiled under foot. Knoless.
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Whom he did all to pieces breake and foyle,
In filthy durt, and left so in the loathely soyle. Spenser.
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2. To render (an effort or attempt) vain or nugatory; to baffle; to outwit; to balk; to frustrate; to defeat.
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And by &unr_; mortal man at length am foiled. Dryden.
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Her long locks that foil the painter's power. Byron.
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3. To blunt; to dull; to spoil; as, to foil the scent in chase. Addison.
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Foil, n. 1. Failure of success when on the point of attainment; defeat; frustration; miscarriage. Milton.
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Nor e'er was fate so near a foil. Dryden.
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2. A blunt weapon used in fencing, resembling a smallsword in the main, but usually lighter and having a button at the point.
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Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not. Shak.
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Isocrates contended with a foil against Demosthenes with a word. Mitford.
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3. The track or trail of an animal.
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To run a foil,to lead astray; to puzzle; -- alluding to the habits of some animals of running back over the same track to mislead their pursuers. Brewer.
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