fouling
|foul-ing|
/ˈfaʊlɪŋ/
(foul)
offensive or unfair
Etymology
'foul' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'fūl', where Proto-Germanic '*fulaz' meant 'rotten, unclean'.
'foul' changed from Old English 'fūl' and is related to Old Norse 'fúll' and Old High German 'fūl'; the adjective gave rise to the verb sense (to make foul, to commit a foul) in later Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'rotten, unclean' in a physical sense, but over time it extended to mean 'offensive, against rules, or causing obstruction' in modern English.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the action or instance of committing a foul; an infraction of rules (in games or sport).
The referee penalized him for a dangerous fouling.
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Noun 2
accumulation of unwanted material on a surface (marine or industrial context), such as biofouling on a ship's hull or scale inside a pipe.
Fouling on the hull increased fuel consumption.
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Verb 1
present participle or gerund of 'foul': to make dirty, unclean, or contaminated (physical contamination).
They were fined for fouling the river by dumping waste.
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Verb 2
present participle of 'foul': to break the rules, especially in sports (to commit a foul).
The defender kept fouling the striker to stop him.
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Verb 3
present participle of 'foul': to cause to become tangled, obstructed, or entangled (e.g., a line, propeller, or anchor).
Seaweed was fouling the ship's propeller and reducing speed.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 11:51