fool

Definition

A person with poor judgment or little intelligence.

Etymology

From Middle English fole (“fool”), from Old French fol (cf. modern French fou (“mad”)) from Latin follis. Doublet of fals and follis. Displaced native Old English dwæs.

Example Sentences

• "You were a fool to cross that busy road without looking."
• "The village fool threw his own shoes down the well."
• "Erasmus, [...] saide wiselie that experience is the common scholehouse of foles, and ill men: Men of witte and honestie, be otherwise instructed."

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