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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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.
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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; 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 \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 \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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