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• felo-de-se
  felo-de-se

  noun

  a person who intentionally takes their own life, or commits an unlawful malicious act resulting in their own death.
• felo de se
  felo de se

  noun

  law

felo-de-se

American  

[fel-oh-di-see, -sey] / ˈfɛl oʊ dɪˈsi, -ˈseɪ /

noun

plural

felones-de-se, felos-de-se

1. a person who intentionally takes their own life, or commits an unlawful malicious act resulting in their own death.

2. the act of suicide.

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felo de se British  

/ ˈfiːləʊ dɪ ˈsiː, ˈfɛləʊ /

noun

1. law

   1. suicide

   2. a person who commits suicide

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Etymology

Origin of felo-de-se

First recorded in 1650–60; from Anglo-Latin, equivalent to felō “a felon” + dē “in respect to, of” + sē “oneself”; see origin at felon ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

For a death to be declared a "Felo de se", Latin for "felon of himself", an old legal term for suicide, it had to be proved the person was sane.

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2011

Some maintain that the position of the sting, when turned towards the head, is merely a convulsive movement; but others have actually brought in the verdict "Felo de se."

From The Works of Lord Byron. Vol. 3 by Coleridge, Ernest Hartley

The whole legislative Power of the Kingdom will certainly support their own Authority, and not commit Felo de se to please their Enemies.

From An Humble Address and Earnest Appeal to Those Respectable Personages in Great-Britain and Ireland, Who, by Their Great and Permanent Interest in Landed Property, Their Liberal Education, Elevated Rank, and Enlarged Views, Are the Ablest to Judge, and the Fittest to Decide, Whether a Connection with, Or a Separation from the Continental Colonies of America, Be Most for the National Advantage, and the Lasting Benefit of These Kingdoms by Tucker, Josiah

Then since a Person is at Liberty, whether he will love or no; he that does love, is guilty of Felo de se, and accuses a Maid wrongfully.

From Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I. by Erasmus, Desiderius

Contents To a Poet a thousand years hence Riouperoux The Town without a Market The Balled of Camden Town Mignon Felo de se Tenebris Interlucentem Invitation to a young but learned friend .

From Forty-Two Poems by Flecker, James Elroy