A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Felony, -ouny, Fellony, n. Also: felowny, fellouny. [ME. felounie, felonie (c 1290), OF. felonie. Cf. Felny.] Fierceness, cruelty; deliberate wickedness. Forethocht felony; see Forethocht a.(a) 1375 Barb. x. 65.
Thai … lettit thar fayis to fulfill The mast part off thar felony Ib. xix. 2.
Covatis, that can nocht cese Till set men apon felony c1450-2 Howlat 165.
Thir ar fowlis of effect, but fellony or feid a1500 Bernardus 138.
Gef that thi mortale inimy … may nocht schaw furtht his felony c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 44.
Nixt in the dance followit Invy Fild full of feid and fellony 1533 Boece x. iii. 351 b.
Florence, sum tyme euertit be fellony of barbaris(b) 1375 Barb. i. 440.
Fra his presence went in hy, For he dred sayr his felouny a1400 Leg. S. vii. 202.
Thai … in gret fellouny com him abowte c1420 Wynt. v. 654.
Off Saynt Paule, in his felowny, He gert stryk off the hewyd 1456 Hay I. 192/3.
It wald be callit before-thocht felouny, and nocht defens
