See Also: folly(medicine)
folly(dictionary)
folly(encyclopedia)
folly(dictionary)
POPE' S FOLLY(law)
POPE'S FOLLY(law)

folly (iou)



folly noun & verb. ME.
[Old & mod. French folie madness, from fol mad, foolish: see FOOL noun1 & adjective, -Y3. In sense 2b cf. also French folie delight, favourite abode.]
A. noun.
The quality or state of being foolish or deficient in understanding; lack of good sense; unwise conduct. ME.
T. Gray Where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise. H. Carpenter The Tale of Tom Kitten deals with the folly of forcing children into tidy clothes.
An instance of foolishness; a foolish act, idea, practice, etc.; a ridiculous thing. ME.
John Brooke To avoid the follies and weaknesses of his grandfather.
b. A costly ornamental building (considered as) serving no practical purpose. L16.
P. Levi The Monument was a Gothic folly, a carved stone tower standing alone in a field.
Evil, wickedness; harm; (a) crime, (a) sin; esp. (an act of) lechery or fornication. ME-M17.
Madness; rage. ME-L17.
Theatrical. In pl. (A revue with) glamorous female performers. E20.
Ziegfeld Follies etc.
b. verb intrans. Act foolishly. arch. M18.