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

At the Epstein press conference, six of the dead felon’s alleged victims held a press conference and urged the president to come forward with every single document in the Epstein files, some 100,000 pages.

From Salon

That list included Carlos Velasquez, who was arrested in December 2008 and ultimately pleaded guilty to murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

From Los Angeles Times

Deputies were responding to reports that Abelar — a convicted felon who could not legally possess a firearm — had threatened to shoot several people at the auto body shop.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles police arrested the Grammy-nominated musician near his clothing store in Melrose early Sunday on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

From Los Angeles Times

Corral had already served three prison terms for assaulting a police officer, carrying a gun as a felon and shooting into a house, court records show.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• convict 
• delinquent 
• lawbreaker 
• offender