Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Foist
Foist
(foist)
, Noun.
A light and fast-sailing ship.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
Foist
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Foisted
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Foisting
.] [Cf. OD.
vysten
to fizzle, D. veesten
, E. fizz
, fitchet
, bullfist
.] To insert surreptitiously, wrongfully, or without warrant; to interpolate; to pass off (something spurious or counterfeit) as genuine, true, or worthy; – usually followed by in.
Lest negligence or partiality might admit or
foist
in abuses and corruption. R. Carew.
When a scripture has been corrupted . . . by a supposititious
foisting
of some words in. South.
Foist
,Noun.
1.
A foister; a sharper.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.
2.
A trick or fraud; a swindle.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Foist
FOIST
,Verb.
T.
To insert surreptitiously, wrongfully, or without warrant.
Lest negligence or partiality might admit or foist in abuses and corruption.
FOIST
,Noun.
Definition 2024
foist
foist
English
Pronunciation
Verb
foist (third-person singular simple present foists, present participle foisting, simple past and past participle foisted)
- (transitive) To introduce or insert surreptitiously or without warrant.
- 2006 — Theodore Dalrymple, The Gift of Language
- attempts to foist alleged grammatical “correctness” on native speakers of an “incorrect” dialect are nothing but the unacknowledged and oppressive exercise of social control
- (Can we date this quote?), William Alexander Clouston, Variants and Analogues of some of the Tales in the Supplemental Nights: Volume 2:
- the Tale of Zayn al-Asnám is one of two which Galland repudiated, as having been foisted into his 8th volume without his knowledge
- 2006 — Theodore Dalrymple, The Gift of Language
- (transitive) To force another to accept especially by stealth or deceit.
- (transitive) To pass off as genuine or worthy.
- (Can we date this quote?) Jonathan Spivak — foist costly and valueless products on the public
Synonyms
Translations
introduce or insert surreptitiously
|
force another to accept
pass off as genuine
|
Noun
foist (plural foists)
- (historical slang) A thief or pickpocket.
- 1977, Gãmini Salgãdo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society 2006, p. 54:
- The foist had lately arrived form the country and was known to be doing a thriving trade in and around Westminster Hall where many country folk and others came to see lawyers.
- 1977, Gãmini Salgãdo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society 2006, p. 54:
Synonyms
- See Wikisaurus:pickpocket
Etymology 2
Old French fuste (“stick, boat”), from Latin fustis (“cudgel”).
Noun
foist (plural foists)
- (obsolete) A light and fast-sailing ship.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Beaumont and Fletcher to this entry?)