Folly
['fɒlɪ] or ['fɑli]
Definition
(noun.) foolish or senseless behavior.
(noun.) the trait of acting stupidly or rashly.
(noun.) the quality of being rash and foolish; 'trying to drive through a blizzard is the height of folly'; 'adjusting to an insane society is total foolishness'.
Edited by Estelle--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The state of being foolish; want of good sense; levity, weakness, or derangement of mind.
(n.) A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure; weak or light-minded conduct; foolery.
(n.) Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a woman, wantonness.
(n.) The result of a foolish action or enterprise.
Checked by Eli
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Foolishness, imbecility, fatuity, stupidity, shallowness, dulness, doltishness.[2]. Absurdity, extravagance, imprudence, nonsense, indiscretion, act of folly, foolish act.
Edited by Glenn
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Madness, nonsense, misconduct, imprudence, silliness, foolishness, weakness,absurdity, imbecility
ANT:Sense, wisdom, sanity, judgment, prudence, sobriety
Inputed by Henrietta
Definition
n. silliness or weakness of mind: a foolish act: criminal weakness: (B.) sin: a monument of folly as a great structure left unfinished having been begun without a reckoning of the cost.—v.i. to act with folly.
Typist: Montague
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. That 'gift and faculty divine ' whose creative and controlling energy inspires Man's mind guides his actions and adorns his life.
Typed by Hannah
Examples
- In the periodical publications of June, 1914, may be read the eloquent announcement: Langley's Folly Flies. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- I have called this misplaced rationality a piece of learned folly, because it shows itself most dangerously among those thinkers about politics who are divorced from action. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- What is prudence in the conduct of every private family, can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The matter begins and ends with the boy's own perversity and folly. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- But why, said she, should it be pure folly? Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I don't defend the folly of playing you a trick under the circumstances. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- What can equal the folly of our two relations? Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- She thought it was her signor marito who had sent them, and she cried a little and said it was a folly. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- She is not actuated by malevolence, but sheer, heedless folly. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- And ignorance and folly are inanitions of the soul? Plato. The Republic.
- I never was so ashamed in my life to hear a man talk folly as I have been to hear you talk this day to the present company. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- However, if I get well over this folly, I will for the rest of my life reign lord paramount or nothing. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- My dear Fanny, replied Edmund, scarcely hearing her to the end, let us not, any of us, be judged by what we appeared at that period of general folly. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- I did not, said Worcester, half indignantly, I did not know that I was quite a fool; and at all events, I shall not intrude my folly on you if I am. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- It was naturally to be expected, therefore, that folly, negligence, and profusion, should prevail in the whole management of their affairs. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Nay, say rather the feather-pated giddy madmen, said Waldemar, who must be toying with follies when such business was in hand. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I have committed follies, gentlemen,' said Uriah, looking round with a meek smile, 'and I ought to bear the consequences without repining. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Even the common people, the severest critics of the conduct of their betters, had commiseration with the follies of Prior Aymer. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Young women have committed similar follies often before, and have repented them in poverty and obscurity often before. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- No: If I must be a fool, as all those who reason or believe any thing certainly are, my follies shall at least be natural and agreeable. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- I am conscious of my own past follies. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- With all his faults and follies, a sweet and pleasant gentleman! Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, _do_ divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- One half of those vain follies were puffed into mine ear by that perfidious Abbot Wolfram, and you may now judge if he is a counsellor to be trusted. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I can't explain exactly, but I want to be above the little meannesses and follies and faults that spoil so many women. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- She could make a butt of Fred when he was present, but she did not enjoy his follies when he was absent. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- When I think of my past follies, and my present state, I am sure it would be best for you. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Plato in a hyperbolical and serio-comic vein exaggerates the follies of democracy which he also sees reflected in social life. Plato. The Republic.
- We will not trouble ourselves here with the names and follies, the crimes and intrigues, of its tale of emperors. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Inputed by Carter