a. Obs. Also 4–5 felonnous, (4 felen-, 5 fellenouse). [f. FELON + -OUS.] Of the nature of a felon; like a felon.
1. Wicked, evil, mischievous.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., I. iv. 18. Swiche þinges as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hys þouȝt aȝeins innocent.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), vi. 65. Thei ben right felonouse & foule.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 367/1. Allexandryne of Perouse had in her body a ryght felonnous deuylle.
1533–4. Act 25 Hen. VIII., c. 3 § 1. Felony and felonous stealynge of the same goodes.
1591. Spenser, Virgil’s Gnat, 295.
| He spide his foe with felonous intent, | |
| And fervent eyes to his destruction bent. |
1594. The First Part of the Contention betwixt the two famous Houses of Yorke and Lancaster (1843), 35.
| A murtherer or foule felonous theefe, | |
| That robs and murthers silly passengers, | |
| I tortord aboue the rate of common law. |
2. Fierce, cruel, violent. Also, bold, sturdy.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 364. Whan that meinie is felonous and damageous to the peple by hardinesse of high lordeship.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xxviii. 291. He is a full felonous Best.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 23. A tyrant felonnous & oultrecuydaunt.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccclxxxiv. 648. He … answered them with a felonous regarde.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. x. 33.
| Yet she was of such grace and vertuous might, | |
| That her commaundment he could not withstand, | |
| But bit his lip for felonous despight, | |
| And gnasht his yron tuskes at that displeasing sight. |
3. Thievish. rare–0.
1570. Levins, Manip., 225. Felonouse, furax.
Hence Felonously adv.
1436. Rolls Parlt., IV. 498. Þe said William felonousely and flessnly knewe and ravysshed þe said Isabell.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. xciiii.[xc.] 281. They sayd it was falsely and felonously done.
1532–3. Act 24 Hen. VIII., c. 5. If any euyl disposed person … do attempt felonouslye to robbe … any person.
