fool

fool
\ \ [13] Fool comes via Old French fol from Latin follis, which originally meant ‘bellows’ (and may come ultimately from Indo-European *bhel-, which produced English bellows). In post-classical times it developed semantically via ‘windbag’ and ‘fatuous person’ to ‘idiot’. Fooldessert of puréed fruit and cream’ [16] appears to be the same word, applied (like trifle) to a light insubstantial dessert. Folly [13] comes from the Old French derivative folie.
\ \ Cf.FOLLY

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Fool — Fool, n. [OE. fol, n. & adj., F. fol, fou, foolish, mad; a fool, prob. fr. L. follis a bellows, wind bag, an inflated ball; perh. akin to E. bellows. Cf. {Folly}, {Follicle}.] 1. One destitute of reason, or of the common powers of understanding;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fool — Ⅰ. fool [1] ► NOUN 1) a person who acts unwisely. 2) historical a jester or clown. ► VERB 1) trick or deceive. 2) (fool about/around) act in a joking or frivolous way. 3) …   English terms dictionary

  • fool — fool1 [fo͞ol] n. [ME fol < OFr (Fr fou) < LL follis < L, windbag, bellows: see FOLLICLE] 1. a) a person with little or no judgment, common sense, wisdom, etc.; silly or stupid person; simpleton b) Obs. a mentally retarded person 2. a man …   English World dictionary

  • Fool — steht für: Fool (Süßspeise) April Fool, ein Segelboot The Fool, eine Designergruppe Fool (Roman), Roman von Christopher Moore FOOL steht für: Flughafen Libreville Leon M ba in Gabun (ICAO Code) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Fool — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Fool Single por Shakira Lanzado 2003 Grabado 2001 Género Rock Duración …   Wikipedia Español

  • Fool — Fool, v. t. 1. To infatuate; to make foolish. Shak. [1913 Webster] For, fooled with hope, men favor the deceit. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. To use as a fool; to deceive in a shameful or mortifying manner; to impose upon; to cheat by inspiring… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fool — fool, idiot, imbecile, moron, simpleton, natural are often used popularly and interchangeably of one regarded as lacking sense or good judgment but each can be more precisely applied to someone mentally deficient in a given degree. Fool, the most …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Fool — Fool, n. [Cf. F. fouler to tread, crush. Cf. 1st {Foil}.] A compound of gooseberries scalded and crushed, with cream; commonly called gooseberry fool. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fool — Fool, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fooled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Fooling}.] To play the fool; to trifle; to toy; to spend time in idle sport or mirth. [1913 Webster] Is this a time for fooling? Dryden. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fool — [n] stupid or ridiculous person ass, birdbrain*, blockhead*, bonehead*, boob*, bore, buffoon, clod*, clown, cretin*, dimwit*, dolt*, dope*, dumb ox*, dunce, dunderhead*, easy mark*, fair game*, fathead*, goose*, halfwit, idiot, ignoramus,… …   New thesaurus

  • fool — index bilk, deceive, defraud, delude, dupe, ensnare, entrap, evade (deceive), illude …   Law dictionary

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