Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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.
King Richard . . . caused the ensigns of Leopold to
be pulled down and foiled under foot. --Knoless.
Whom he did all to pieces breake and foyle, In
filthy durt, and left so in the loathely soyle.
--Spenser.
2. To render (an effort or attempt) vain or nugatory; to
baffle; to outwit; to balk; to frustrate; to defeat.
And by ? mortal man at length am foiled. --Dryden.
Her long locks that foil the painter's power.
--Byron.
3. To blunt; to dull; to spoil; as, to foil the scent in
chase. --Addison.
Source : WordNet®
foiled
adj : disappointingly unsuccessful; "disappointed expectations and
thwarted ambitions"; "their foiled attempt to capture
Calais"; "many frustrated poets end as pipe-smoking
teachers"; "his best efforts were thwarted" [syn: {defeated},
{disappointed}, {discomfited}, {frustrated}, {thwarted}]