DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Foil, n.
 1. Failure of success when on the point of attainment; defeat; frustration; miscarriage.
               Nor e'er was fate so near a foil.   --Dryden.
 2. A blunt weapon used in fencing, resembling a smallsword in the main, but usually lighter and having a button at the point.
       Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not.   --Shak.
      Isocrates contended with a foil against Demosthenes with a word.   --Mitford.
 3. The track or trail of an animal.
 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.