'April fool' definitions:
Definition of 'April fool'
From: WordNet
noun
The butt of a prank played on April 1st
noun
A practical joke or trick played on the first day of April
Definition of 'April fool'
From: GCIDE
- 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 (Aethusa 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 foolishly; to act the buffoon; to act a foolish part. "I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly." --1 Sam. xxvi. 21. [1913 Webster]