Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Folly
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. Shakespeare
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Folly
FOL'LY
,Noun.
1.
Weakness of intellect; imbecility of mind. want of understanding.A fool layeth open his folly. Prov. 13.
2.
A weak or absurd act not highly criminal; an act which is inconsistent with the dictates of reason, or with the ordinary rules of prudence. In this sense it may be used in the singular, but is generally in the plural. Hence we speak of the follies of youth.3.
An absurd act which is highly sinful; any conduct contrary to the laws of God or man; sin; scandalous crimes; that which violates moral precepts and dishonors the offender. Shechem wrought folly in Israel. Achan wrought folly in Israel. Gen. 34. Josh. 7.4.
Criminal weakness; depravity of mind.