Etymology : Middle English fo, from Old English fAh, from fAh, adjective, hostile; akin to Old High German gifEh hostile
Pronunciation : 'fO
Function : noun
Date : before 12th century
1. enemy, adversary; opponent, rival. foe\foe\ , v. t. to treat as an enemy. [obs.]foe \foe\ (fō), n. [oe. fo, fa, as. fāh hostile; prob. akin to e. fiend.
2. see:
fiend, and cf. feud a quarrel.].
3. one who entertains personal enmity, hatred, grudge, or malice, against another; an enemy. a man's foes shall be they of his own household. x. 36.
4. an enemy in war; a hostile army.
5. one who opposes on principle; an opponent; an adversary; an ill-wisher; as, a foe to religion. a foe to received doctrines. wattsfoe n.
6. an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force); "a soldier must be prepared to kill his enemies" [syn: enemy, foeman, opposition, opponent].
7. a personal enemy; "they had been political foes for years" [syn: enemy] [ant: ally].
8. One who entertains personal enmity, hatred, grudge, or malice, against another; an enemy.
9. An enemy in war; a hostile army.
10. One who opposes on principle; an opponent; an adversary; an ill-wisher; as, a foe to religion.
11. To treat as an enemy. a personal enemy; "they had been political foes for years".
12. Someone's foe is their enemy. the abbreviation of Friends of the Earth. an enemy.