| folly | Origin: OE. Folie, foli, F. Folie, fr. Fol, fou, foolish, mad. See Fool. 1. The state of being foolish; want of good sense; levity, weakness, or derangement of mind. 2. A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure; weak or light-minded conduct; foolery. " What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill." (Shak) 3. Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a woman, wantonness. "[Achan] wrought folly in Israel." (Josh. Vii. 15) "When lovely woman stoops to folly." (Goldsmith) 4. The result of a foolish action or enterprise. " It is called this man's or that man's "folly," and name of the foolish builder is thus kept alive for long after years." (Trench) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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