afoul

== English == === Etymology === From a- +‎ foul. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /əˈfaʊl/ Rhymes: -aʊl === Adverb === afoul (comparative more afoul, superlative most afoul) (archaic, principally nautical) In a state of collision or entanglement. 1849, William F. Lynch, The Naval Officer, Chapter 2, in Graham’s Magazine, Volume 34, Number 3, March 1849,[2] The atmosphere was soon thick and stifling, and the crews were working their guns with the energy of desperation, when a severe concussion, followed by a harsh and grating sound, told that the ships were afoul. (with of) In a state of entanglement or conflict (with). ==== Usage notes ==== In contemporary English, afoul is mainly used in the phrases fall afoul (of) and run afoul (of). ==== Derived terms ==== run afoul run afoul of ==== Related terms ==== foully ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === “afoul”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “afoul”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. === Anagrams === AFOLU