foils

Noun

foil (countable and uncountable, plural foils)

1. A very thin sheet of metal.
2. (chiefly Euro English) A very thin sheet of plastic.
3. (uncountable) Thin aluminium/aluminum (or, formerly, tin) used for wrapping food.
   • wrap the sandwich up in foil

   Synonyms:

   aluminium foil, silver foil, silver paper, tin foil

4. A thin layer of metal put between a jewel and its setting to make it seem more brilliant.
5. (figuratively) 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.
   • 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...2019, Steve Paul Moxon, “The Sexes Serve to Purge Mutations by Selection on Males, Boosting the Function of Sex to Maintain Genomic Integrity]”, in New Male Studies, volume 8, number 1, pages 46–47...
6. (figuratively) Anything that acts by contrast to emphasise the characteristics of something.
   • As she a black silk cap on him begun / To set, for foil of his milk-white to serve.a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London...

See all 23 meanings of foil