felon

¹

[fel-uhn]

noun

1. Law.,  a person who has been convicted of a felony, such as grand theft, kidnapping, or murder.

2. Archaic.,  a wicked person.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  wicked; malicious; treacherous.

felon

²

[fel-uhn]

noun

1. an acute and painful inflammation of the deeper tissues of a finger or toe, usually near the nail: a form of whitlow.

felon

¹

/ ˈfɛlən /

noun

1. criminal law (formerly) a person who has committed a felony

2. obsolete,  a wicked person

adjective

1. archaic,  evil; cruel

felon

²

/ ˈfɛlən /

noun

1. a purulent inflammation of the end joint of a finger, sometimes affecting the bone

Sensitive Note

Terms such as felon, convict, inmate, and offender can be dehumanizing to people in the criminal justice system. The stigma of these categories often follows people after their release from prison, and contributes to difficulty reintegrating into society. Because of this, it is often better to use language that centers the specific experiences of a person or group, rather than using a label: People who have been incarcerated may have problems accessing quality healthcare, rather than Felons may have problems accessing quality healthcare. Some individuals who have been imprisoned or convicted of a crime, however, might use these labels to describe themselves. It is always best to respect a person's self-designation when referring to them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of felon¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fel(o)un “wicked, wicked person, evildoer,” from Old French fel (nominative), felun (oblique) “wicked person, traitor,” from Medieval Latin fellon- , stem of fello “villain, evildoer”; further etymology uncertain

Origin of felon²

1375–1425; late Middle English felo ( u ) n < Medieval Latin fellōn- (stem of fellō ) scrofulous tumor, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of felon¹

C13: from Old French: villain, from Medieval Latin fellō , of uncertain origin

Origin of felon²

C12: from Medieval Latin fellō sore, perhaps from Latin fel poison

Example Sentences

Morgan had been serving a life sentence since 2002 for robbery, burglary and possessing a gun as a felon, a third strike conviction, prison officials said in the statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Held inside a notorious prison among some of California's most dangerous felons, the San Quentin Film Festival is not your typical Hollywood affair.

Read more on Barron's

Crypto kings, billionaires needing agency approvals, felons buying pardons, AI chieftains on the prowl.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

No law, domestic or international, constrains him, as far as the convicted felon is concerned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The jury also found that Bradford fired his weapon in the crime, and that he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• convict 
• delinquent 
• lawbreaker 
• offender