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

He is a convicted felon awaiting sentencing in a New York case, and facing additional criminal charges in two federal cases and in Georgia.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump won the election despite being a convicted felon with multiple criminal cases pending against him, and after having promised to use the Justice Department to turn the tables and go after his political foes.

From Los Angeles Times

On July 11, 1996, Tinney was sentenced to a concurrent term of two years in prison for the crime of felon or addict in possession of a firearm.

From Los Angeles Times

Could that argument gain traction after the return to the White House of Trump - a convicted felon described by his rivals as a "fascist" and a threat to democracy?

From BBC

“Trump is a lying, convicted felon and a fascist threat,” Trenberth said.

From Salon

Related Words

• convict
• delinquent
• lawbreaker
• offender