Pronunciation: [fˈɔ͡ɪlsmən] (IPA) 
The word "foilsman" is spelled with two "s's," despite how it may sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word would be transcribed as /ˈfɔɪlzmən/. The "s" sound at the end of "foils" and the beginning of "man" blend together, creating the illusion of only one "s." However, the correct spelling includes two "s's." "Foilsman" is a term used to describe someone who practices fencing with a foil, a type of sword used in the sport.
The word "foilsman" is derived from the term "foil", which has multiple meanings. One of its historical meanings refers to a blunted or buttoned point of a sword used in training or practice duels. This term evolved from the Old French word "foille" or "file", which originally meant a leaf or a strip of metal. Thus, "foilsman" originally referred to a person skilled in the practice of swordplay with a foil (a type of sword used for practice). Over time, the term has also been used more broadly to refer to any skilled fencer.
