follis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/Very Low FrequencyAcademic, Historical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “follis” mean?
(Historical) A small leather bag or purse, particularly one used in ancient Rome for holding coins.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(Historical) A small leather bag or purse, particularly one used in ancient Rome for holding coins.
In modern contexts, it refers specifically to a small bag or pouch, often used in medical or anatomical terminology (e.g., the part of the eye or a cyst).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, as the term is equally rare and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely denotative, historical, or technical.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to specialist texts.
Grammar
How to Use “follis” in a Sentence
the (Roman/ancient) follis of [something]a follis (cysticus)referred to as a follisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “follis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and medical/anatomical texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Specific medical/anatomical descriptor (e.g., in ophthalmology).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “follis”
- Pronouncing it as /fəˈliːs/ (like 'police')
- Using it in general contexts instead of historical/anatomical ones.
- Spelling as 'follus' or 'follice'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and specialised term, used almost exclusively in historical or medical contexts.
No, using it for a modern item would be anachronistic and confusing. Use 'purse', 'wallet', or 'money bag' instead.
The standard English plural is 'folles' (/ˈfɒliːz/ or /ˈfɑːliːz/), following the Latin plural.
Yes, both words derive from the Latin 'follis' meaning 'bag' or 'bellows'. 'Follicle' is a much more common derivative in biological contexts.
(Historical) A small leather bag or purse, particularly one used in ancient Rome for holding coins.
Follis is usually academic, historical, medical in register.
Follis: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɒlɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɑːlɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a Roman soldier paying with coins from his FOLLIS, which sounds like 'wallet' and 'polish' (for old coins).
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR VALUE (historical), ANATOMICAL CONTAINER (modern).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'follis' most likely to be used today?