folly Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
unwiseness; foolishness.
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noun a stupid mistake
betise; stupidity; foolishness; imbecility.
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noun the quality of being rash and foolish
madness; foolishness; craziness.
- trying to drive through a blizzard is the height of folly
- adjusting to an insane society is total foolishness
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noun foolish or senseless behavior
indulgence; foolery; craziness; tomfoolery; lunacy.
WordNet
Fol"ly noun
Etymology
OE.Wordforms
Definitions
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The state of being foolish; want of good sense; levity, weakness, or derangement of mind. -
A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure; weak or light-minded conduct; foolery. What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill. Shak.
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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.
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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.