GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found 4 definitions
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Fool (?), n. [Cf. F. fouler to tread, crush. Cf. 1st Foil.] A compound of gooseberries scalded and crushed, with cream; -- commonly called gooseberry fool.
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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; an idiot; a natural.
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2. A person deficient in intellect; one who acts absurdly, or pursues a course contrary to the dictates of wisdom; one without judgment; a simpleton; a dolt.
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Extol not riches, then, the toil of fools. Milton.
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Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other. Franklin.
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3. (Script.) One who acts contrary to moral and religious wisdom; a wicked person.
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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Ps. xiv. 1.
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4. One who counterfeits folly; a professional jester or buffoon; a retainer formerly kept to make sport, dressed fantastically in motley, with ridiculous accouterments.
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Can they think me . . . their fool or jester? Milton.
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April fool, Court fool, etc. See under April, Court, etc. -- Fool's cap, a cap or hood to which bells were usually attached, formerly worn by professional jesters. -- Fool's errand, an unreasonable, silly, profitless adventure or undertaking. -- Fool's gold, iron or copper pyrites, resembling gold in color. -- Fool's paradise, a name applied to a limbo (see under Limbo) popularly believed to be the region of vanity and nonsense. Hence, any foolish pleasure or condition of vain self-satistaction. -- Fool's parsley (Bot.), an annual umbelliferous plant (Aethusa Cynapium) resembling parsley, but nauseous and poisonous. -- To make a fool of, to render ridiculous; to outwit; to shame. [Colloq.] -- To play the fool, to act foolishly; to act the buffoon; to act a foolish part. “I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” 1 Sam. xxvi. 21.
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Fool, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fooled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fooling.] To play the fool.
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2. To waste time in unproductive activity; to spend time in idle sport or mirth; to trifle; to toy.
Syn. -- fool around.
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Is this a time for fooling? Dryden.
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Fool, v. t.
1. To infatuate; to make foolish. Shak.
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For, fooled with hope, men favor the deceit. Dryden.
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2. To use as a fool; to deceive in a shameful or mortifying manner; to impose upon; to cheat by inspiring foolish confidence; as, “to fool one out of his money”.
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You are fooled, discarded, and shook off
By him for whom these shames ye underwent. Shak.
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To fool away, to get rid of foolishly; to spend in trifles, idleness, folly, or without advantage.
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