Fool

Definition of Fool

A compound of gooseberries scalded and crushed, with cream; - commonly called gooseberry fool.

One destitute of reason, or of the common powers of understanding; an idiot; a natural.

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.

Extol not riches, then, the toil of fools.

- Milton.

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

- Franklin.

(Script.) One who acts contrary to moral and religious wisdom; a wicked person.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

- Ps. xiv. 1.

One who counterfeits folly; a professional jester or buffoon; a retainer formerly kept to make sport, dressed fantastically in motley, with ridiculous accouterments.

Can they think me . . . their fool or jester?

- Milton.

April fool
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 (Æthusa Cynapium) resembling parsley, but nauseous and poisonous.

To make a fool of
to render ridiculous; to outwit; to shame.

To play the fool
to act the buffoon; to act a foolish part. - 1 Sam. xxvi. 21.

v. i.

To play the fool; to trifle; to toy; to spend time in idle sport or mirth.

[imp. & p. p. Fooled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Fooling.]

Is this a time for fooling?

- Dryden.

v. t.

To infatuate; to make foolish.

For, fooled with hope, men favor the deceit.

- Dryden.

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.

Related Words

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