felo-de-se
Americannoun
plural
felones-de-se, felos-de-se-
a person who intentionally takes their own life, or commits an unlawful malicious act resulting in their own death.
-
the act of suicide.
noun
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”; felon 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was cut down before life was extinct, and on recovery was prosecuted for felo-de-se.
From Reminiscences of a South African Pioneer by Scully, W. C. (William Charles)
Further, a jury can seldom be induced to bring in a verdict of felo-de-se.
From Regeneration by Haggard, Henry Rider
One of the jurymen returning home, was asked what verdict they brought in, and whether they found it "felo-de-se"?
From Ever Heard This? Over Three Hundred Good Stories by Chambers, F. W.
It would be reckoned a gross breach of good manners to scandalize the refined and liberal administration of the Kursaal by undisguised felo-de-se.
From The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims Volume I (of II) by Steinmetz, Andrew
A full account of Wakley’s parliamentary ratting, or political felo-de-se; beautifully authenticated by his late Finsbury electors—with sundry cuts by his former friends.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, November 13, 1841 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.