Cryptic crossword clue
Fencer at first lubricates swords 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word FOILS

F
O
I
L
S


Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "swords" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case swords = foils.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does FOILS mean?

FOILS noun
  1. A very thin sheet of metal.
  2. Thin aluminium/aluminum (or, formerly, tin) used for wrapping food.
  3. A thin layer of metal put between a jewel and its setting to make it seem more brilliant.
  4. (authorship) In literature, theatre/theater, etc., a character who helps emphasize the traits of the main character and who usually acts as an opponent or antagonist.
  5. Anything that acts by contrast to emphasise the characteristics of something.
  6. A very thin sword with a blunted (or foiled) tip
  7. A thin, transparent plastic material on which marks are made and projected for the purposes of presentation. See transparency.
  8. A stylized flower or leaf.
  9. A hydrofoil.
  10. An aerofoil/airfoil.
FOILS verb
  1. To cover or wrap with foil.
FOILS noun
  1. Failure when on the point of attainment; defeat; frustration; miscarriage.
  2. One of the incorrect answers presented in a multiple-choice test.
FOILS verb
  1. To prevent (something) from being accomplished.
  2. To prevent (someone) from accomplishing something.
  3. To blunt; to dull; to spoil.
  4. To tread underfoot; to trample.
FOILS noun
  1. The track of an animal.
FOILS verb
  1. To expand a product of two or more algebraic expressions, typically binomials.
FOILS verb
  1. To defile; to soil.

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