Fol"ly (?), 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.
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.