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; an idiot; a natural.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
Extol not riches, then, the toil of fools. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn
in no other. --Franklin.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Script.) One who acts contrary to moral and religious
wisdom; a wicked person.
[1913 Webster]
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
--Ps. xiv. 1.
[1913 Webster]
4. One who counterfeits folly; a professional jester or
buffoon; a retainer formerly kept to make sport, dressed
fantastically in motley, with ridiculous accouterments.
[1913 Webster]
Can they think me . . . their fool or jester?
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
|