felon, fell on, feloun, felun

& a. [Fr. félon, from Low Lat. fello, felo a traitor, a rebel. Prob. of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. feallan =a felon; Bret. fall on i =treachery, from Ir. & Gael. feall =to betray; cogn. with Lat. fallo; Ir. feal; Bret. fell = evil; Wel. & Corn. ffel =wily. ( Skeat.)] A. As substantive: I. Ordinary Language: 1. In the same sense as II. "Al that the felon hath, the kinges it is." Robert of Gloucester, p. 471. 2. One who has committed heinous crimes; a villain. 3. A wretch, a wicked person. "Bifor that Herodis the feloun Did sain Ion in his prisoun." Metrical Homilies, p. 36. 4. A whitlow; a tumor formed between the bone and its investing membrane, very painful. "Kiles, felones, and postymees." Hampole : Prick of Conscience, 2,995. II. Law: One who has committed a felony (q. v.). B. As adjective: †1. Cruel, savage, malignant, malicious. "He asked the waves, and asked the felon winds, What hard mishap hath doomed this gentle swain." Milton: Lycidas , 90, 91. *2. Traitorous, disloyal. *3. Stolen. "Whose greedy pawes with fell on goods were found."Fuller: David's Hainous Sinne , ch. xix.