n.; pl. Follies [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure; weak or light-minded conduct; foolery. [ 1913 Webster ] What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a woman, wantonness. [ 1913 Webster ] [ Achan ] wrought folly in Israel. Josh. vii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ] When lovely woman stoops to folly. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. The result of a foolish action or enterprise. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] |