Obs. Forms: 4 folet, folt, 4–6 folte, 5 folett, 6 foult. [a. OF. folet, f. fol mad, foolish: see FOOL sb.1] A fool.

1

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 8300. A kaynarde ande an olde folte. Ibid. (c. 1330), Chron. Wace (Rolls), 4527. A folet couþe he wel adaunte.

2

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 168/2. Folett … stolidus.

3

c. 1440.  Hylton, Scala Perf. (W. de W., 1494), I. xxxiv. In þe day of pentecost … thei were made neyther foles ne foltis, but thei were made wonder wyse.

4

1566.  Drant, Horace’s Sat., I. 1. A iv.

                  Lets suffer still the foolishe frantycke foultes
To wallowe in their wilfulnes.

5

  Hence † Folthead, † Foltry [see -RY], folly.

6

1399.  Langl., Rich. Redeles, II. 7.

        That non at ȝoure nede
ȝoure name wolde nempne
in ffersnesse ne in ffoltheed.

7

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 169/1. Foltrye, fatuitas, stoliditas.

8