FOOL (2)

fool (2). Fool, v. to trifle, toy, disappoint, defeat, cheat

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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. 1. One destitute of reason, or of the common powers of understanding; an idiot; a natural.
2. 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.
Extol not riches, then, the toil of fools. Milton. Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other. Franklin. 3. 3. (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. 4. 4. 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, 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 (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. “I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” 1 Sam. xxvi. 21.