foʊˈliː, ˌfoʊˈleɪ

Definitions

1. noun

A condition of mental disorder or madness; insanity.

“The artist’s descent into folie was a tragic outcome of her struggles with fame.”

2. noun

A craze or fad, especially a short-lived one.

“The latest gadget became a folie among teenagers for a brief period.”

3. noun

A literary device in which a character’s sanity is called into question.

“The author used folie to create an unsettling atmosphere in the novel.”

4. noun

A French term for a dramatic or artistic pose, often exaggerated or unnatural.

“The actor struck a folie for the final scene of the play.”