Chapter 31

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 (∆thusa 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 the buffoon; to act a foolish part. "I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly." 1 Sam. xxvi. 21.

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.

Is this a time for fooling?

Dryden.

Fool, v. t. 1. To infatuate; to make foolish. Shak.

For, fooled with hope, men favor the deceit.

Dryden.

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.

You are fooled, discarded, and shook off By him for whom these shames ye underwent.

Shak.

To fool away, to get rid of foolishly; to spend in trifles, idleness, folly, or without advantage.

Foo"lahs` (?), n. pl.; sing. Foolah. (Ethnol.) Same as Fulahs.

Fool"-born` (?), a. Begotten by a fool. Shak.

Fool"er*y (?), n.; pl. Fooleries (&?;). 1. The practice of folly; the behavior of a fool; absurdity.

Folly in fools bears not so strong a note, As foolery in the wise, when wit doth dote.

Shak.

2. An act of folly or weakness; a foolish practice; something absurd or nonsensical.

That Pythagoras, Plato, or Orpheus, believed in any of these fooleries, it can not be suspected.

Sir W. Raleigh.

Fool"fish` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) (a) The orange filefish. See Filefish. (b) The winter flounder. See Flounder.

Fool"-hap`py (?), a. Lucky, without judgment or contrivance. [Obs.] Spenser.

Fool"har`di*hood (?), n. The state of being foolhardy; foolhardiness.

Fool"har`di*ly, adv. In a foolhardy manner.

Fool"har`di*ness, n. Courage without sense or judgment; foolish rashness; recklessness. Dryden.

Fool"har`dise (?), n. [Fool, F. fol, fou + F. hardiesse boldness.] Foolhardiness. [Obs.] Spenser.

Fool"har`dy (?), a. [OF. folhardi. See Fool idiot, and Hardy.] Daring without judgment; foolishly adventurous and bold. Howell.

Syn. -- Rash; venturesome; venturous; precipitate; reckless; headlong; incautious. See Rash.

Fool"-has`ty (?), a. Foolishly hasty. [R.]

Fool"i*fy (?), v. t. [Fool + -fy.] To make a fool of; to befool. [R.] Holland.

Fool"ish, a. 1. Marked with, or exhibiting, folly; void of understanding; weak in intellect; without judgment or discretion; silly; unwise.

I am a very foolish fond old man.

Shak.

2. Such as a fool would do; proceeding from weakness of mind or silliness; exhibiting a want of judgment or discretion; as, a foolish act.

3. Absurd; ridiculous; despicable; contemptible.

A foolish figure he must make.

Prior.

Syn. -- Absurd; shallow; shallow-brained; brainless; simple; irrational; unwise; imprudent; indiscreet; incautious; silly; ridiculous; vain; trifling; contemptible. See Absurd.

Fool"ish*ly, adv. In a foolish manner.

Fool"ish*ness, n. 1. The quality of being foolish.

2. A foolish practice; an absurdity.

The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.

1 Cor. i. 18.

Fool"-large` (?), a. [OF. follarge. See Fool, and Large.] Foolishly liberal. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fool"-lar*gesse` (?), n. [See Fool- large, Largess.] Foolish expenditure; waste. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fools"cap` (?), n. [So called from the watermark of a fool's cap and bells used by old paper makers. See Fool's cap, under Fool.] A writing paper made in sheets, ordinarily 16 x 13 inches, and folded so as to make a page 13 x 8 inches. See Paper.

Foot (ft), n.; pl. Feet (ft). [OE. fot, foot, pl. fet, feet. AS. ft, pl. ft; akin to D. voet, OHG. fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. ftr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth. ftus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. pd, Icel. fet step, pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way. √77, 250. Cf. Antipodes, Cap-a-pie, Expedient, Fet to fetch, Fetlock, Fetter, Pawn a piece in chess, Pedal.] 1. (Anat.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal; esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See Manus, and Pes.

2. (Zoˆl.) The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It is a median organ arising from the ventral region of body, often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See Illust. of Buccinum.

3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as, the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.

4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain or column; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed.

And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet.

Milton.

5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the singular.

Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.

Berkeley.

6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the singular. [R.]

As to his being on the foot of a servant.

Walpole.

7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third of a yard. See Yard.

This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of a man's foot. It differs in length in different countries. In the United States and in England it is 304.8 millimeters.

8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry, usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the cavalry. "Both horse and foot." Milton.

9. (Pros.) A combination of syllables consisting a metrical element of a verse, the syllables being formerly distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern poetry by the accent.

10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail.

Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or lower part. It is also much used as the first of compounds.

Foot artillery. (Mil.) (a) Artillery soldiers serving in foot. (b) Heavy artillery. Farrow. -- Foot bank (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet. -- Foot barracks (Mil.), barracks for infantery. -- Foot bellows, a bellows worked by a treadle. Knight. -- Foot company (Mil.), a company of infantry. Milton. -- Foot gear, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or boots. -- Foot hammer (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a treadle. -- Foot iron. (a) The step of a carriage. (b) A fetter. -- Foot jaw. (Zoˆl.) See Maxilliped. -- Foot key (Mus.), an organ pedal. -- Foot level (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance. Farrow. -- Foot mantle, a long garment to protect the dress in riding; a riding skirt. [Obs.] -- Foot page, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.] -- Foot passenger, one who passes on foot, as over a road or bridge. -- Foot pavement, a paved way for foot passengers; a footway; a trottoir. -- Foot poet, an inferior poet; a poetaster. [R.] Dryden. -- Foot post. (a) A letter carrier who travels on foot. (b) A mail delivery by means of such carriers. -- Fot pound, ∧ Foot poundal. (Mech.) See Foot pound and Foot poundal, in the Vocabulary. -- Foot press (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing press, moved by a treadle. -- Foot race, a race run by persons on foot. Cowper. -- Foot rail, a railroad rail, with a wide flat flange on the lower side. -- Foot rot, an ulcer in the feet of sheep; claw sickness. -- Foot rule, a rule or measure twelve inches long. -- Foot screw, an adjusting screw which forms a foot, and serves to give a machine or table a level standing on an uneven place. -- Foot secretion. (Zoˆl.) See Sclerobase. -- Foot soldier, a soldier who serves on foot. -- Foot stick (Printing), a beveled piece of furniture placed against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place. -- Foot stove, a small box, with an iron pan, to hold hot coals for warming the feet. -- Foot tubercle. (Zoˆl.) See Parapodium. -- Foot valve (Steam Engine), the valve that opens to the air pump from the condenser. -- Foot vise, a kind of vise the jaws of which are operated by a treadle. -- Foot waling (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a vessel over the floor timbers. Totten. -- Foot wall (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein.

By foot, or On foot, by walking; as, to pass a stream on foot. -- Cubic foot. See under Cubic. -- Foot and mouth disease, a contagious disease (Eczema epizoˆtica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc., characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in the mouth and about the hoofs. -- Foot of the fine (Law), the concluding portion of an acknowledgment in court by which, formerly, the title of land was conveyed. See Fine of land, under Fine, n.; also Chirograph. (b). -- Square foot. See under Square. -- To be on foot, to be in motion, action, or process of execution. -- To keep the foot (Script.), to preserve decorum. "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God." Eccl. v. 1. -- To put one's foot down, to take a resolute stand; to be determined. [Colloq.] -- To put the best foot foremost, to make a good appearance; to do one's best. [Colloq.] -- To set on foot, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set on foot a subscription. -- To put, or set, one on his feet, to put one in a position to go on; to assist to start. -- Under foot. (a) Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample under foot. Gibbon. (b) Below par. [Obs.] "They would be forced to sell . . . far under foot." Bacon.

Foot (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Footed; p. pr. & vb. n. Footing.] 1. To tread to measure or music; to dance; to trip; to skip. Dryden.

2. To walk; -- opposed to ride or fly. Shak.

Foot, v. t. 1. To kick with the foot; to spurn. Shak.

2. To set on foot; to establish; to land. [Obs.]

What confederacy have you with the traitors Late footed in the kingdom?

Shak.

3. To tread; as, to foot the green. Tickell.

4. To sum up, as the numbers in a column; -- sometimes with up; as, to foot (or foot up) an account.

5. To seize or strike with the talon. [Poet.] Shak.

6. To renew the foot of, as of a stocking. Shak.

To foot a bill, to pay it. [Colloq.] -- To foot it, to walk; also, to dance.

If you are for a merry jaunt, I'll try, for once, who can foot it farthest.

Dryden.

Foot"ball` (?), n. An inflated ball to be kicked in sport, usually made in India rubber, or a bladder incased in Leather. Waller.

2. The game of kicking the football by opposing parties of players between goals. Arbuthnot.

Foot"band` (?), n. A band of foot soldiers. [Obs.]

Foot"bath` (?), n. A bath for the feet; also, a vessel used in bathing the feet.

Foot"board` (?), n. 1. A board or narrow platfrom upon which one may stand or brace his feet; as: (a) The platform for the engineer and fireman of a locomotive. (b) The foot-rest of a coachman's box.

2. A board forming the foot of a bedstead.

3. A treadle.

Foot"boy` (?), n. A page; an attendant in livery; a lackey. Shak.

Foot"breadth` (?), n. The breadth of a foot; -- used as a measure. Longfellow.

Not so much as a footbreadth.

Deut. ii. 5.

Foot"bridge` (?), n. A narrow bridge for foot passengers only.

Foot"cloth` (?), n. Formerly, a housing or caparison for a horse. Sir W. Scott.

Foot"ed, a. 1. Having a foot or feet; shaped in the foot. "Footed like a goat." Grew.

Footed is often used in composition in the sense of having (such or so many) feet; as, fourfooted beasts.

2. Having a foothold; established.

Our king . . . is footed in this land already.

Shak.

Foot"fall` (?), n. A setting down of the foot; a footstep; the sound of a footstep. Shak.

Seraphim, whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.

Poe.

Foot"fight` (?), n. A conflict by persons on foot; -- distinguished from a fight on horseback. Sir P. Sidney.

Foot"glove` (?), n. A kind of stocking. [Obs.]

Foot" Guards` (?), pl. Infantry soldiers belonging to select regiments called the Guards. [Eng.]

Foot"halt` (?), n. A disease affecting the feet of sheep.

Foot"hill` (?), n. A low hill at the foot of higher hills or mountains.

Foot"hold` (?), n. A holding with the feet; firm standing; that on which one may tread or rest securely; footing. L'Estrange.

Foot"hook` (?), n. (Naut.) See Futtock.

Foot"hot` (?), adv. Hastily; immediately; instantly; on the spot; hotfoot. Gower.

Custance have they taken anon, foothot.

Chaucer.

Foot"ing, n. 1. Ground for the foot; place for the foot to rest on; firm foundation to stand on.

In ascent, every step gained is a footing and help to the next.

Holder.

2. Standing; position; established place; basis for operation; permanent settlement; foothold.

As soon as he had obtained a footing at court, the charms of his manner . . . made him a favorite.

Macaulay.

3. Relative condition; state.

Lived on a footing of equality with nobles.

Macaulay.

4. Tread; step; especially, measured tread.

Hark, I hear the footing of a man.

Shak.

5. The act of adding up a column of figures; the amount or sum total of such a column.

6. The act of putting a foot to anything; also, that which is added as a foot; as, the footing of a stocking.

7. A narrow cotton lace, without figures.

8. The finer refuse part of whale blubber, not wholly deprived of oil. Simmonds.

9. (Arch. & Enging.) The thickened or sloping portion of a wall, or of an embankment at its foot.

Footing course (Arch.), one of the courses of masonry at the foot of a wall, broader than the courses above. -- To pay one's footing, to pay a fee on first doing anything, as working at a trade or in a shop. Wright. -- Footing beam, the tie beam of a roof.

Foot"less, a. Having no feet.

Foot"lick`er (?), n. A sycophant; a fawner; a toady. Cf. Bootlick. Shak.

Foot"light` (?), n. One of a row of lights in the front of the stage in a theater, etc., and on a level therewith.

Before the footlights, upon the stage; -- hence, in the capacity of an actor.

Foot"man (?), n.; pl. Footmen (&?;). 1. A soldier who marches and fights on foot; a foot soldier.

2. A man in waiting; a male servant whose duties are to attend the door, the carriage, the table, etc.

3. Formerly, a servant who ran in front of his master's carriage; a runner. Prior.

4. A metallic stand with four feet, for keeping anything warm before a fire.

5. (Zoˆl.) A moth of the family LithosidÊ; -- so called from its livery-like colors.

Foot"man*ship, n. Art or skill of a footman.

Foot"mark` (?), n. A footprint; a track or vestige. Coleridge.

Foot"note` (?), n. A note of reference or comment at the foot of a page.

Foot"pace` (?), n. 1. A walking pace or step.

2. A dais, or elevated platform; the highest step of the altar; a landing in a staircase. Shipley.

Foot"pad` (?), n. A highwayman or robber on foot.

Foot"path` (?), n.; pl. Footpaths (&?;). A narrow path or way for pedestrains only; a footway.

Foot"plate` (?), n. (Locomotives) See Footboard (a).

Foot" pound` (?). (Mech.) A unit of energy, or work, being equal to the work done in raising one pound avoirdupois against the force of gravity the height of one foot.

<! p. 581 !>

Foot" pound`al (?). (Mech.) A unit of energy or work, equal to the work done in moving a body through one foot against the force of one poundal.

Foot"print` (?), n. The impression of the foot; a trace or footmark; as, "Footprints of the Creator."

Foot"rope` (?), n. (Aut.) (a) The rope rigged below a yard, upon which men stand when reefing or furling; -- formerly called a horse. (b) That part of the boltrope to which the lower edge of a sail is sewed.

Foots (?), n. pl. The settlings of oil, molasses, etc., at the bottom of a barrel or hogshead. Simmonds.

Foot"-sore` (?), a. Having sore or tender feet, as by reason of much walking; as, foot-sore cattle.

Foot"stalk` (?), n. 1. (Bot.) The stalk of a leaf or of flower; a petiole, pedicel, or reduncle.

2. (Zoˆl.) (a) The peduncle or stem by which various marine animals are attached, as certain brachiopods and goose barnacles. (b) The stem which supports which supports the eye in decapod Crustacea; eyestalk.

3. (Mach.) The lower part of a millstone spindle. It rests in a step. Knight.

Foot"stall` (?), n. [Cf. Pedestal.] 1. The stirrup of a woman's saddle.

2. (Arch.) The plinth or base of a pillar.

Foot"step` (?), n. 1. The mark or impression of the foot; a track; hence, visible sign of a course pursued; token; mark; as, the footsteps of divine wisdom.

How on the faltering footsteps of decay Youth presses.

Bryant.

2. An inclined plane under a hand printing press.

Foot"stone` (?; 110), n. The stone at the foot of a grave; -- opposed to headstone.

Foot"stool` (?), n. A low stool to support the feet of one when sitting.

Foot"way` (?), n. A passage for pedestrians only.

Foot"worn` (?), a. Worn by, or weared in, the feet; as, a footworn path; a footworn traveler.

Foot"y (?), a. 1. Having foots, or settlings; as, footy oil, molasses, etc. [Eng.]

2. Poor; mean. [Prov. Eng.] C. Kingsley.

Fop (?), n. [OE. foppe, fop, fool; cf. E. fob to cheat, G. foppen to make a fool of one, jeer, D. foppen.] One whose ambition it is to gain admiration by showy dress; a coxcomb; an inferior dandy.

Fop"-doo`dle (?), n. A stupid or insignificant fellow; a fool; a simpleton. [R.] Hudibras.

Fop"ling (?), n. A petty fop. Landor.

Fop"per*y (?), n.; pl. Fopperies (#). [From Fop.] 1. The behavior, dress, or other indication of a fop; coxcombry; affectation of show; showy folly.

2. Folly; foolery.

Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter My sober house.

Shak.

Fop"pish (?), a. Foplike; characteristic of a top in dress or manners; making an ostentatious display of gay clothing; affected in manners.

Syn. -- Finical; spruce; dandyish. See Finical.

-- Fop"pish*ly, adv. -- Fop"pish*ness, n.

For- (&?;). [AS. for-; akin to D. & G. ver- , OHG. fir-, Icel. for-, Goth. fra-, cf. Skr. par- away, Gr. &?; beside, and E. far, adj. Cf. Fret to rub.] A prefix to verbs, having usually the force of a negative or privative. It often implies also loss, detriment, or destruction, and sometimes it is intensive, meaning utterly, quite thoroughly, as in forbathe.

For (?), prep. [AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D. voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. f¸r, Icel. fyrir, Sw. fˆr, Dan. for, adv. fˆr, Goth. fa˙r, fa˙ra, L. pro, Gr. &?;, Skr. pra-. &radic; 202. Cf. Fore, First, Foremost, Forth, Pro-.] In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place.

1. Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action; the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of which a thing is or is done.

With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath.

Shak.

How to choose dogs for scent or speed.

Waller.

Now, for so many glorious actions done, For peace at home, and for the public wealth, I mean to crown a bowl for CÊsar's health.

Dryden.

That which we, for our unworthiness, are afraid to crave, our prayer is, that God, for the worthiness of his Son, would, notwithstanding, vouchsafe to grant.

Hooker.

2. Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the end or final cause with reference to which anything is, acts, serves, or is done.

The oak for nothing ill, The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill.

Spenser.

It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters.

Bacon.

Shall I think the worls was made for one, And men are born for kings, as beasts for men, Not for protection, but to be devoured?

Dryden.

For he writes not for money, nor for praise.

Denham.

3. Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which, anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of; on the side of; -- opposed to against.

We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

2 Cor. xiii. 8.

It is for the general good of human society, and consequently of particular persons, to be true and just; and it is for men's health to be temperate.

Tillotson.

Aristotle is for poetical justice.

Dennis.

4. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; &?;ntending to go to.

We sailed from Peru for China and Japan.

Bacon.

5. Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or made; instead of, or place of.

And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Ex. xxi. 23, 24.

6. Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.

We take a falling meteor for a star.

Cowley.

If a man can be fully assured of anything for a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for tru&?;?

Locke.

Most of our ingenious young men take up some cried- up English poet for their model.

Dryden.

But let her go for an ungrateful woman.

Philips.

7. Indicating that instead of which something else controls in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to notwithstanding, in spite of; -- generally followed by all, aught, anything, etc.

The writer will do what she please for all me.

Spectator.

God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next minute supervene.

Dr. H. More.

For anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us.

Swift.

8. Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of.

For many miles about There 's scarce a bush.

Shak.

Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing.

prior.

To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.

Garth.

9. Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done. [Obs.]

We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.

Beau. & Fl.

For, or As for, so far as concerns; as regards; with reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently. See under As.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Josh. xxiv. 15.

For me, my stormy voyage at an end, I to the port of death securely tend.

Dryden.

-- For all that, notwithstanding; in spite of. -- For all the world, wholly; exactly. "Whose posy was, for all the world, like cutlers' poetry." Shak. -- For as much as, or Forasmuch as, in consideration that; seeing that; since. -- For by. See Forby, adv. -- For ever, eternally; at all times. See Forever. -- For me, or For all me, as far as regards me. -- For my life, or For the life of me, if my life depended on it. [Colloq.] T. Hook. -- For that, For the reason that, because; since. [Obs.] "For that I love your daughter." Shak. -- For thy, or Forthy [AS. for&?;&?;.], for this; on this account. [Obs.] "Thomalin, have no care for thy." Spenser. -- For to, as sign of infinitive, in order to; to the end of. [Obs., except as sometimes heard in illiterate speech.] -- "What went ye out for to see?" Luke vii. 25. See To, prep., 4. -- O for, would that I had; may there be granted; -- elliptically expressing desire or prayer. "O for a muse of fire." Shak. -- Were it not for, or If it were not for, leaving out of account; but for the presence or action of. "Moral consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were it not for the will." Sir M. Hale.

For (?), conj. 1. Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old English, the reason of anything.