Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Foist

Foist

(foist)
,
Noun.
[OF.
fuste
stick, boat, fr. L.
fustis
cudgel. Cf. 1st
Fust
.]
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
, bull
fist
.]
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.
A light and fast sailing ship. Obs.

Definition 2024


foist

foist

English

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /fɔɪst/

Verb

foist (third-person singular simple present foists, present participle foisting, simple past and past participle foisted)

  1. (transitive) To introduce or insert surreptitiously or without warrant.
  2. (transitive) To force another to accept especially by stealth or deceit.
  3. (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

Noun

foist (plural foists)

  1. (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.

Synonyms

  • See Wikisaurus:pickpocket

Etymology 2

Old French fuste (stick, boat), from Latin fustis (cudgel).

Noun

foist (plural foists)

  1. (obsolete) A light and fast-sailing ship.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Beaumont and Fletcher to this entry?)