felo de se

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felo de se

(ˈfiːləʊ dɪ ˈsiː; ˈfɛləʊ)

n, pl felones de se (ˈfiːləʊˌniːz dɪ ˈsiː; ˈfɛl-) or felos de se

(Law) law

a. suicide

b. a person who commits suicide

[C17: from Anglo-Latin, from felō felon + Latin dē of + sē oneself]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

felo de se

A Latin phrase meaning felon of yourself, used to mean a person who commits suicide.

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References in classic literature ?

The prevalent opinion, among such of those emigrants who were over-running the country, as had time, in the multitude of their employments, to think of any foreign concerns, was the simple and direct conclusion that the absent bride was no more nor less than a felo de se. Father Ignatius had many doubts, and much secret compunction of conscience; but, like a wise chief, he endeavoured to turn the sad event to some account, in the impending warfare of faith.

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He advised me if ever I felt like it not to commit a--a barren felo de se, but to let the Sheshaheli do it.

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On February 28, Cosgrove died and an inquest into his death returned a verdict of "Felo De Se", literally "felon of himself".