Found 1 items, similar to To play the fool.
English → English (gcide) Definition: To play the fool 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Extol not riches, then, the toil of fools. --Milton. [1913 Webster] Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other. --Franklin. [1913 Webster] 3. (Script.) One who acts contrary to moral and religious wisdom; a wicked person. [1913 Webster] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. --Ps. xiv. 1. [1913 Webster] 4. One who counterfeits folly; a professional jester or buffoon; a retainer formerly kept to make sport, dressed fantastically in motley, with ridiculous accouterments. [1913 Webster] Can they think me . . . their fool or jester? --Milton. [1913 Webster] 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 ([AE]thusa 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 the buffoon; to act a foolish part. “I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” --1 Sam. xxvi. 21. [1913 Webster]