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.
Quotation dates: 1399-1420, 1489
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Felny, n. Reduced form of Felony n. (Cf. Prov. felnia, var. of fellonia.) — a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxiii. 294.
That I suld succure this towne Fra the felny of this dragone a1400 Ib. xxxvi. 548.
Quhen he cowertly To sauf his aith did felny c1420 Wynt. ii. 1444.
Thare wyffys … In felny brynnand as a fyre c1420 Ib. v. 641; etc.
He gert in tyll his felny sla Hys awyn maystyr 1489 Brus x. 65 (E).
Thai … lettyt thair fayis to fulfill The maist part of thair felny [C. felony]
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"Felny n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/felny>
