▪ I. † folt, n. Obs.
Forms: 4 folet, folt, 4–6 folte, 5 folett, 6 foult.
[a. OF. folet, f. fol mad, foolish: see fool n.]
A fool.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 8300 A kaynarde and an olde folte. c 1330 ― Chron. Wace (Rolls) 4527 A folet couþe he wel adaunte. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 168/2 Folett..stolidus. c 1440 Hylton Scala Perf. (W. de W. 1494) i. xxxiv, In þe day of pentecost..thei were made neyther foles ne foltis, but..wonder wyse. 1566 Drant Horace's Sat. i. i. A iv, The foolishe frantycke foultes. |
Hence † ˈfolthead, † ˈfoltry [see -ry], folly.
| 1399 Langl. Rich. Redeles ii. 7 Non..ȝoure name wolde nempne In ffersnesse ne in ffoltheed. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 169/1 Foltrye, fatuitas, stoliditas. |
▪ II. † folt, v. Obs.
[f. folt n.]
intr. To act like a fool. Hence † ˈfolted ppl. a., foolish.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 2239 (Gött.) Þir folis foltid gadrid þaim þan. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5839 Shrewes.. helde hym foltede or wode For he was so mylde of mode. 13.. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxxvii. 605 Þe wikked gost..seide þat he was a folted mon. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 169/1 Foltyn, or doon as a foole. |