FELON Definition & Meaning

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felon

[fel-uhn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Law.��a person who has been convicted of a felony, such as grand theft, kidnapping, or murder.
Archaic.��a wicked person.

adjective

Archaic.��wicked; malicious; treacherous.

felon

[fel-uhn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an acute and painful inflammation of the deeper tissues of a finger or toe, usually near the nail: a form of whitlow.

felon

/ ˈ��ɛ��ə�� /

noun

criminal law (formerly) a person who has committed a felony
obsolete��a wicked person

adjective

archaic��evil; cruel

felon

/ ˈ��ɛ��ə�� /

noun

a purulent inflammation of the end joint of a finger, sometimes affecting the bone

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Sensitive Note

Terms such as felon, convict, inmate, and offender can be dehumanizing to people in the criminal justice system. The stigma of these categories often follows people after their release from prison, and contributes to difficulty reintegrating into society. Because of this, it is often better to use language that centers the specific experiences of a person or group, rather than using a label: People who have been incarcerated may have problems accessing quality healthcare, rather than Felons may have problems accessing quality healthcare. Some individuals who have been imprisoned or convicted of a crime, however, might use these labels to describe themselves. It is always best to respect a person's self-designation when referring to them.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of felon¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fel(o)un “wicked, wicked person, evildoer,” from Old French fel (nominative), felun (oblique) “wicked person, traitor,” from Medieval Latin fellon- , stem of fello “villain, evildoer”; further etymology uncertain

Origin of felon²

1375–1425; late Middle English felo ( u ) n < Medieval Latin �ڱ��ō��- (stem of �ڱ��ō ) scrofulous tumor, of uncertain origin

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of felon¹

C13: from Old French: villain, from Medieval Latin �ڱ��ō , of uncertain origin

Origin of felon²

C12: from Medieval Latin �ڱ��ō sore, perhaps from Latin fel poison

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Trump is a 34-count felon who has defied judicial rulings, ignored laws that don’t serve his interests, and turned his current presidency into an unprecedented adventure in self-dealing and graft.

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"The Israeli government is giving weapons to a group of criminals and felons, identified with the Islamic State group," Lieberman said.

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At the time he acknowledged possessing despite being a convicted felon.

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As part of the deal, Boeing will avoid an upcoming fraud trial that could have resulted in the US aviation giant and defence contractor being labelled a felon.

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There were days when the hot and sweaty place was shared by nuns and former felons.

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Related 51�Թ�s

convict��
delinquent��
lawbreaker��
offender��

felo-de-se felonious

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