† fool-large, a. and n. Obs.
Forms: 3 fol-large, 4–5 fole-, foollarge, 6–7 foole-large.
[a. OF. follarge, f. fol fool a. + large liberal, munificent, prodigal: see large a. Cf. foolhardy.]
A. adj. Foolishly liberal, prodigal, wasteful.
| 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 389 In spenynge he was fol large. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶740 Certes he that is fool large, ne yeueth nat his catel but he leseth his catel. 1474 Caxton Chesse iii. viii, Fole large and waystours of theyr goodes. 1603 H. Crosse Vertues Commw. (1878) 69 Foole-large in distributing his goods, to waste his patrimonie. |
B. n.
1. A prodigal, spendthrift.
| a 1420 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 4628 And syn fool large on gold settiþ his herte No more þan þe liberal. |
2. = fool-largesse.
| 1474 Caxton Chesse iii. viii. (1860) I iij, And ye shall vnderstonde that fole large is a ryght euyl vyce. |