FOLLYING

FOLLY

Fol"ly, n.; pl. Follies. Etym: [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: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition