Folly \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.
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2. A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure;
weak or light-minded conduct; foolery.
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What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill. --Shak.
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3. Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a
woman, wantonness.
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[Achan] wrought folly in Israel. --Josh. vii.
15.
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When lovely woman stoops to folly. --Goldsmith.
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4. The result of a foolish action or enterprise.
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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.
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