Felon

Quick meaning: Felon is an adjective meaning (by extension) Of a place: harsh, savage, wild; of a thing: deadly; harmful.

Meaning

(by extension) Of a place: harsh, savage, wild; of a thing: deadly; harmful.

More Meanings

1. (criminal law) A person who has committed a felony (“a serious criminal offence”); specifically, one who has been tried and convicted of such a crime.
2. (pathology, veterinary medicine) A small infected sore; an abscess, a boil; specifically, a whitlow (“infection near or under the cuticle of a fingernail or toenail”).
3. (chiefly poetic) Of a person or animal, their actions, thoughts, etc.: brutal, cruel, harsh, heartless; also, evil, wicked.
4. (obsolete, rare) Obtained through a felony; stolen.
5. (obsolete) An evil or wicked person.
6. (obsolete, by extension) A predatory animal regarded as cruel or wicked.

Example Sentences

He ask'd the VVaves, and ask'd the Fellon vvinds, / VVhat hard miſhap hath doom'd this gentle ſvvain?

For Courteſies, tho' undeſerv'd and great, / No gratitude in Fellon-minds beget, / As tribute to his VVit, the churl receives the treat.

The hand that mingled in the meal, / At midnight drew the felon steel, / And gave the host's kind breast to feel / Meed for his hospitality!

Yes, Leila sleeps beneath the wave, / But his shall be a redder grave; / Her spirit pointed well the steel / Which taught that felon heart to feel.

Word Forms

• felons

Synonyms for felon

Depending on context, synonyms include malefactor, criminal, crook, outlaw, whitlow.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include outlaw, criminal, malefactor, crook, whitlow, lawbreaker.

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