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

Activists have scrambled to help ex-felons pay those penalties and re-enfranchise as many of them as possible.

From Vox

In Florida, the Gutting of a Landmark Law Leaves Few Felons Likely to VoteState officials don’t know how many felons are registered or eligible to vote.

From ProPublica

The idea for the pledge came to him as he read coverage of Mike Bloomberg’s effort to pay the debts of former felons in Florida, whom the state had prevented from voting if they owed it money.

From Washington Post

She declined to give a current number of people flagged as felons.

From ProPublica

He also hired a convicted felon to review and collect attorney fees of hundreds of poor defendants in Cumberland County.

From ProPublica

The Washington Post added that the man was a convicted felon.

From The Daily Beast

Morgan is a convicted felon and therefore barred from possessing firearms.

From The Daily Beast

Yet, despite his criminal record, countless women fawned over the seemingly sexy felon.

From The Daily Beast

Meet the drug felon and Bravo TV star challenging Lindsey Graham for his Senate seat in November.

From The Daily Beast

Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) is a grifter and a wingnut, but is he possibly a felon too?

From The Daily Beast

He added ‘that he had rather live as a felon or a rebel than adventure his undoing for the Queen.’

From Project Gutenberg

Amongst the prisoners taken was Wolfe Tone; who soon afterwards in order to avoid a felon's death, ended his life by suicide.

From Project Gutenberg

"Ay, wench—in that sure prison which felon never breaks from," answered the Countess.

From Project Gutenberg

If you have evidence against Frank Lamotte, why do you occupy a felon's cell?

From Project Gutenberg

The condemned felon has as good a yard for air and exercise in Newgate, as the insolvent debtor in the Marshalsea Prison.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• convict
• delinquent
• lawbreaker
• offender