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.
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.