folk

views updated May 21 2018

folk / fōk/ (also folks) • pl. n. 1. inf. people in general: some folk will do anything for money an old folks' home. ∎  a specified group of people: some city folk cringe at the notion of consuming these birds. ∎  (folks) used as a friendly form of address to a group of people: meanwhile, folks, why not relax and enjoy the show? ∎  (one's folks) the members of one's family, esp. one's parents: I get along all right with your folks.2. folk music: a mixture of folk and reggae.1. adj. of or relating to the traditional art or culture of a community or nation: a revival of interest in folk customs a folk museum. ∎  relating to or originating from the beliefs and opinions of ordinary people: a folk hero folk wisdom.2. of or relating to folk music: performing at a folk club in Chicago.PHRASES: just (plain) folks ordinary, down-to-earth, unpretentious people.

folk

views updated Jun 27 2018

folk people, race; men, people. OE. folc = OS., OHG. folc (Du., G. volk), ON. folk people, army :- Gmc. *folkam, the orig. meaning of which is perh. best preserved in ON.
Hence folk-lore, folk-song XIX. From XIV the pl. folks has been used, and since XVII is the ordinary form, the sing. being arch. or dial.

Folk

views updated May 17 2018

Folk

people in general; members of a family. See also kinsfolk.

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folk

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