Meaning of 'foil'

noun

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

Example: "the fins of a fish act as hydrofoils"

Synonyms: hydrofoil

noun

anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities

Example: "pretty girls like plain friends as foils"

Synonyms: enhancer

verb

cover or back with foil

Example: "foil mirrors"

verb

hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

Synonyms: spoil

verb

enhance by contrast

Example: "In this picture, the figures are foiled against the background"

noun

a light slender flexible sword tipped by a button

noun

a piece of thin and flexible sheet metal

Example: "the photographic film was wrapped in foil"

noun

picture consisting of a positive photograph or drawing on a transparent base

Synonyms: transparency