foiling

4 definitions found

foiling - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Foil \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 ? 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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  Foiling \Foil"ing\, n. (Arch.)
     A foil. --Simmonds.
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  Foiling \Foil"ing\, n. [Cf. F. foul['e]es. See 1st Foil.]
     (Hunting)
     The track of game (as deer) in the grass.
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foiling - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  foiling
      n 1: an act of hindering someone's plans or efforts [syn:
           frustration, thwarting, foiling]