The origin of the word fellow

English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈfɛləʊ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈfɛloʊ/
• (informal, nonstandard) IPA^(key): /ˈfɛlə/
• Homophone: felloe
• Rhymes: -ɛləʊ
• Hyphenation: fel‧low

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English felowe, Early Middle English felage (“companion, good friend”)^[1] from Old English fēolaga, from Old Norse félagi, derived from félag (“joint venture; partnership”, literally “a laying together of property”), from fé (“livestock, property; money”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *peḱ- (“livestock; wealth”)) + lag (“something laid down; right position; arrangement; companionship, fellowship; partnership”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ- (“to lie down”)).^[2]

Noun[edit]

fellow (plural fellows)

1. (chiefly in the plural, also figuratively) A companion; a comrade.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:associate

   • 1577, Iohn Calvin, “The .XXXIIII. Sermon, which is the Second vppon the Fifth Chapter”, in Arthur Golding, transl., The Sermons of M. Iohn Calvin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the Ephesians. […], London: […] Lucas Harison, and George Byshop, →OCLC, folio 245, verso:

     But now vnderſtand you, that the kingdome of God is communicated vntoo you by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, bycauſe he hath purchaced it for you, and made you his brethren and fellowes.

   • c. 1605–1608, William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], page 90, column 1:

     [W]e are Fellovves ſtill, / Seruing alike in ſorrovv: […]

   • 1608, [Guillaume de Salluste Du Bartas], “[Du Bartas His Second VVeeke, […].David. […].] The Magnificence. The Second Booke of the Fourth Day of the Second Week, of Bartas.”, in Josuah Sylvester, transl., Du Bartas His Deuine Weekes and Workes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Humfrey Lownes [and are to be sold by Arthur Iohnson […]], published 1611, →OCLC, pages 559–560:

     Rich-men adore their Gold: whoſo aſpires / To lift to Heav’n his ſight and Soules Deſires, / He muſt be Poor (at leaſt-vviſe like the Poor). / Riches and Fear are fellovvs euer-more.

   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Judges 11:37, column 1:

     And ſhe ſaid vnto her father [Jephthah], Let this thing be done for me: Let me alone two moneths, that I may goe vp and downe vpon the mountaines, and bewaile my virginitie, I, and my fellowes.

   • 1662, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Psalmes of DAVID, of the Old Translation, Pointed as They Shall be Said or Sung in Churches. [Psal[m] 45.]”, in The Book of Common-Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, […], London: […] John Bill, and Christopher Barker, […], →OCLC, column 1:

     The kings daughter is all glorious vvithin: her clothing is of vvrought gold. She ſhall be brought unto the king in raiment of needle-vvork: the virgins that be her fellovvs ſhall bear her company, and ſhall be brought unto thee.

   • 1725, [Daniel Defoe], “Part I”, in A New Voyage Round the World, by a Course Never Sailed before. […], London: […] A[rthur] Bettesworth, […]; and W. Mears, […], →OCLC, page 70:

     [T]he Natives quarrelling vvith their Men, upon ſome Rudeneſs offer’d to their VVomen; and they being ſeparated from their Fellovvs, vvere oblig’d to fly, […]

   • 1828 May 15, [Walter Scott], chapter IX, in Chronicles of the Canongate. Second Series. […] (The Fair Maid of Perth), volume II, Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Co.] for Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, →OCLC, page 253:

     [T]his dead fellow had been misused by Rothsay and his fellows, who were in the street in mask and revel, stopping men and women, compelling them to dance, or to drink huge quantities of wine, with other follies needless to recount; […]

   • 1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter VI, in The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume II, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC, page 116:

     One rioter was seized, and ordered by the privy council to be whipped. His fellows rescued him and beat the hangman.

   • 1855, Robert Browning, “Old Pictures in Florence”, in Men and Women […], volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC, stanza 8, page 34:

     When you style them, you of the little wit, / Old Master this and Early the other, / Not dreaming that Old and New are fellows, / That a younger succeeds to an elder brother, / Da Vincis derive in good time from Dellos.

   • 1910, Emerson Hough, “The Gateway, and Some Who Passed”, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC, page 29:

     Carried somehow, somewhither, for some reason, on these surging floods, were these travelers, of errand not wholly obvious to their fellows, yet of such sort as to call into query alike the nature of their errand and their own relations.

2. (chiefly in the plural) An animal which is a member of a breed or species, or a flock, herd, etc.

   • 1659, T[itus] Livius [i.e., Livy], “[Book I]”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Romane Historie […], London: […] W. Hunt, for George Sawbridge, […], →OCLC, page 6:

     But as ſome of the Oxen in driving, miſſed their fellovvs behind and honing after them, bellovved as their nature is: Hercules chanced to heare them lovv again, and anſvver from out of the cave vvherein they had been beſtovved: vvhereat he turned back, and made haſte thither.

   • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “[The Fables of Abstemius, &c.] Fab[le] CCCXXX. A Sheep-biter Hang’d.”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC, page 287:

     A Certain Shepherd had One Favourite-Dog, that he had a Particular Confidence in above all the reſt. He fed him vvith his Ovvn hand, and took more Care of him, in ſhort, then of any of his Fellovvs.

3. (chiefly in the plural) An object which is associated with another object; especially, as part of a set.

   • 1725, Homer, “Book III”, in [Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume I, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC, lines 382–383, page 118:

     But five tall barks the vvinds and vvaters toſt / Far from their fellovvs, on th’Ægyptian coaſt.
4. (also attributively) A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.

   my fellow Americans

   Rebecca and her fellow workers are to go on strike.

   • 1680, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], 5th edition, Edinburgh: […] Iohn Cairns, […], →OCLC, pages 85–86:

     He that ſhall die there, although his death will be unnatural, and his pain perhaps great, he will yet have the better of his fellow; not only becauſe he will be arrived at the Cœleſtial City ſooneſt, but becauſe he will eſcape many miſeries that the other will meet with in the reſt of his journey.

   • 1887, James Francis Hogan, “Preface”, in The Irish in Australia, London: Ward & Downey, […], →OCLC:

     It is now some five years since I conceived the idea of writing a history of my fellow-countrymen in Australasia, but it was only within the last year or two that I could find sufficient time to make any material progress with the undertaking, although I had been collecting the materials for some period in advance.

   • 1901 July, Mrs. Arthur Lyttelton [i.e., Kathleen Lyttelton], “Professions”, in Women and Their Work, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 112:

     There are journalists who work for a low rate of pay, just as there are poor women who take in needlework at a cheaper rate than their fellows, and they are alike making life more difficult for other women.

   • 2019, Anna Stilz, “Legitimacy and Self-determination”, in Territorial Sovereignty: A Philosophical Exploration, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, part II (Self-determination), page 99:

     An important part of treating others as independent persons involves respecting them as autonomous deliberators, who can reason for themselves how to act. Yet our imagined neighbor is insensitive to the need to engage her fellows in this way. She does not offer them any reasons that might lead them to share her point of view about what justice requires, nor does she inquire into, or respond to, their reasons for not sharing it.

   • 2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My Weirdest and Wackiest Rover Yet”, in Rail, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 68:

     My fellow passengers are a mixture of people returning from a day out in the capital, locals doing short hops, and a few (like me) heading farther afield.

   1. (chiefly in the negative) A person with abilities, achievements, skills, etc., equal to those of another person; a thing with characteristics, worth, etc., equal to those of another thing.

      to be without fellow    to have no fellows

      • 1551, Thomas More, “The Fyrste Boke of the Communycacion of Raphaell Hythlodaye Concernynge the Best State of a Commen Wealthe”, in Raphe Robynson [i.e., Ralph Robinson], transl., A Fruteful, and Pleasaunt Worke of the Best State of a Publyque Weale, and of the Newe Yle Called Utopia: […], London: […] [Steven Mierdman for] Abraham Vele, […], →OCLC, signatures B.i., verso – B.ii., recto:

        [I]n reaſonynge, and debatynge of matters what by his naturall witte, & what by daylye exerciſe, ſuerlye he hadde fewe fellowes.

      • 1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], page 119, column 1:

        But I am conſtant as the Northerne Starre, / Of vvhoſe true fixt, and reſting quality, / There is no fellovv in the Firmament.

      • c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], page 137, column 2:

        Macb[eth]. ‘Tvvas a rough Night. / Len[n]ox. My young remembrance cannot paralell / A fellovv to it.

      • 1667, Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, “The Seventh Vision of Hell Reform’d”, in R[oger] L[’Estrange], transl., The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, […], London: […] H[enry] Herringman […], →OCLC, page 258:

        There happen’d lately ſo terrible an Uproar, and Diſorder in Hell, that (though it be a place of perpetual Outrage, and Confuſion) the oldeſt Devil there never knevv the Fellovv of it; and the Inhabitants expected nothing leſs then an abſolute Topſy-Turvy, and Diſſolution of their Empire.

      • 1731 (date written, published 1745)​, Jonathan Swift, “[Directions to Servants.] Chapter I (Directions to the Butler).”, in Thomas Sheridan and John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], volume XVI, new edition, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 122:

        Put your finger into every bottle to feel whether it be full, which is the surest way, for feeling has no fellow.

      • 1741, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter XXVIII”, in Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded. […], volume I, 3rd edition, London: […] C[harles] Rivington, […]; and J. Osborn, […], →OCLC, page 96:

        And here are four other Shifts, one the Fellovv to that I have on; another pretty good one, and the other tvvo old fine ones, that vvill ſerve me to turn and vvind vvith at home, for they are not vvorth leaving behind me; […]

      • 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, “Peregrine is Sent to a Boarding-school, Becomes Remarkable for His Genius and Ambition”, in The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume I, London: Harrison and Co., […], published 1781, →OCLC, page 36:

        [T]his ſerves to inform you, that Mr. Jennings is gone, and Mr. Keypſtick will never meet with his fellow.

   2. (chiefly in the plural) One in the same condition, or situation of need, as another.

      • 1651, Thomas Hobbes, “Of the Causes, Generation, and Definition of a Common-wealth”, in Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill, London: […] [William Wilson] for Andrew Crooke, […], →OCLC, second part (Of Common-wealth), page 87:

        [I]rrationall creatures cannot diſtinguiſh betvveene Injury, and Dammage; and therefore as long as they be at eaſe, they are not offended vvith their fellovves: […]

      • 1764 December 19 (indicated as 1765)​, Oliver Goldsmith, The Traveller, or A Prospect of Society. A Poem. […], London: […] J[ohn] Newbery, […], →OCLC, page 4:

        And oft I wiſh, amidſt the ſcene, to find / Some ſpot to real happineſs conſign’d, / Where my worn ſoul, each wand’ring hope at reſt, / May gather bliſs to ſee my fellows bleſt.

      • 1819, Lord Byron, Mazeppa, a Poem, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, stanza III, lines 51–52, page 7:

        For danger levels man and brute, / And all are fellows in their need.

   3. (archaic, chiefly in the plural)
      1. An equal in character, power, rank, etc.; a peer.

         • 1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], page 129, column 1:

           Are yet tvvo Romans liuing ſuch as theſe? / The laſt of all the Romans, far thee vvell: / It is impoſſible, that euer Rome / Should breed thy fellovv.

         • 1600, [Torquato Tasso], “The First Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne”, in Edward Fairefax [i.e., Edward Fairfax], transl., Godfrey of Bulloigne, or The Recouerie of Ierusalem. […], London: […] Ar[nold] Hatfield, for I[saac] Iaggard and M[atthew] Lownes, →OCLC, stanza 12, page 3:

           [C]hieftaine of the reſt / I choſe him heere, the earth ſhall him allovv, / His fellovves late, ſhall be his ſubiects novv.

      2. A person living at the same time, or about the same age as another, especially when in the same field of study or work.
5. Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.
   1. Originally, one of a group of academics who make up a college or similar educational institution; now, a senior member of a college or similar educational institution involved in teaching, research, and management of the institution.

      • 1655, Thomas Fuller, “Section II. To Matthew Gillye, Esquire.”, in James Nichols, editor, The Church History of Britain, […], volume III, new edition, London: […] [James Nichols] for Thomas Tegg and Son, […], published 1837, →OCLC, book X, subsection 19–24 (An Act for Chelsea College. […]), page 235:

        In the Parliament now sitting at Westminster, (in whose parallel Convocation nothing of consequence,) the most remarkable thing enacted was the Act made to enable the Provost and Fellows of Chelsea College to dig a trench out of the river Lea; […]

      • 1691, [Anthony Wood], “JOHN STANBRIDGE”, in Athenæ Oxonienses. An Exact History of All the Writers and Bishops who have had Their Education in the Most Ancient and Famous University of Oxford from the Fifteenth Year of King Henry the Seventh, Dom. 1500, to the End of the Year 1690. […], volume I (Extending to the 16th Year of King Charles I. Dom. 1640), London: […] Tho[mas] Bennet […], →OCLC, column 17:

        One Thomas Stanbridge, […] vvho dying 1522, left ſeveral Books to the Coll. of vvhich he had been Fellovv; vvhich, if I miſtake not, vvas Magd[alen] College.

      • 1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter VIII, in The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume II, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC, page 289:

        The fellows [of Magdalene College, Cambridge] were, by the statutes which their founder had drawn up, empowered to select their own president from among persons who were, or had been, fellows either of their society or of New College.

   2. An honorary title bestowed by a college or university upon a distinguished person (often an alumna or alumnus).
   3. A (senior) member of a learned or professional society.

      a Fellow of the Royal Society

      • 1661 January 16 (Gregorian calendar)​, John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 6 January 1661]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], volume I, 2nd edition, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, page 329:

        I was now chosen (and nominated by his Majestie for one of y^e Council) by suffrage of the rest of y^e Members, a Fellow of y^e Philosophic Society now meeting at Gresham College, where was an assembly of divers learning gentlemen.

      1. (specifically, Britain, historical) A senior member of an Inn of Court.

         • 1691, [Anthony Wood], “WILLIAM BLANDIE”, in Athenæ Oxonienses. An Exact History of All the Writers and Bishops who have had Their Education in the Most Ancient and Famous University of Oxford from the Fifteenth Year of King Henry the Seventh, Dom. 1500, to the End of the Year 1690. […], volume I (Extending to the 16th Year of King Charles I. Dom. 1640), London: […] Tho[mas] Bennet […], →OCLC, columns 147–148:

           About the ſame time he vvent to London, became Fellovv of the Middle Temple, and aftervvards tranſlated from Lat. to Engliſh The five Books of Hieronimus Oſorius, containing a diſcourſe of Civil and Chriſtian Nobility, Lond. 1576. qu[arto].

   4. (chiefly Britain) A scholar appointed to a fellowship, that is, a paid academic position held for a certain period which usually requires the scholar to conduct research.
   5. (Canada, US) A physician undergoing a fellowship (supervised subspecialty medical training) after having completed a residency (specialty training program).
   6. (US) A member of a college or university who manages its business interests.
   7. (US) A senior researcher or technician in a corporation, especially one engaged in research and development.
6. (informal) A male person; a bloke, a chap, a guy, a man; also, preceded by a modifying word, sometimes with a sense of mild reproach: used as a familiar term of address to a man.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:man

   my dear fellow    old fellow

   • c. 1605–1608, William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 82, column 1:

     Looke in thy laſt vvorke, vvhere thou haſt fegin’d^{[sic – meaning feign’d]} him a vvorthy Fellovv.

   • 1612 (date written)​, Jos[eph] Hall, “A Farewell Sermon, Preacht to the Family of Prince Henry, upon the Day of Their Dissolution at St. Iames”, in A Recollection of Such Treatises as Haue Bene heretofore Seuerally Published and are Nowe Reuised, Corrected, Augmented. […], London: […] [Humfrey Lownes] for Arthur Iohnson, Samuel Macham and Laurence Lisle, published 1615, →OCLC, page 687:

     [H]ovv happy ſhall vve be, if each of vs ſhal haue God to go vvith him! Certainely (my deare fellovves) vve ſhall neuer complaine of the vvant of Maiſters, of friends, vvhile vve finde our ſelues ſure of him; nothing can make vs miſerable vvhile vve are furniſhed vvith him.

   • 1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC; reprinted in The Pilgrim’s Progress (The Noel Douglas Replicas), London: Noel Douglas, […], 1928, →OCLC, page 105:

     He is the Son of one Sayvvell, he dvvelt in Prating-rovv; and he is knovvn of all that are acquainted with him, by the name of Talkative in Prating-rovv; and notvvithſtanding his fine tongue, he is but a ſorry fellovv.

   • 1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC; reprinted in The Pilgrim’s Progress (The Noel Douglas Replicas), London: Noel Douglas, […], 1928, →OCLC, page 105:

     He is the Son of one Sayvvell, he dvvelt in Prating-rovv; and he is knovvn of all that are acquainted with him, by the name of Talkative in Prating-rovv; and notvvithſtanding his fine tongue, he is but a ſorry fellovv.

   • 1711 May 6 (Gregorian calendar)​, Richard Steele, “WEDNESDAY, April 25, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 48; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 312:

     I am an old fellow, and extremely troubled with the gout; but having always a strong vanity towards being pleasing in the eyes of women, I never have a moment’s ease, but I am mounted in high-heeled shoes, with a glazed wax-leather instep.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, “Containing a Remark or Two of Our Own, and Many More of the Good Company Assembled in the Kitchin”, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume IV, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book XII, page 240:

     [Y]ou don’t knovv vvhat a Devil of a Fellovv he is. He can take me up vvith one Hand, and throvv me out at VVindow, […]

   • 1751, David Hume, “Section VIII. Of Qualities Immediately Agreeable to Others.”, in An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, page 163:

     Thus, I have obſerv’d, that, amongſt the French, the firſt Queſtions, with regard to a Stranger, are, Is he polite? Has he Wit? In our own Country, the chief Praiſe beſtow’d is always that of a good-natur’d, ſenſible Fellow.

   • 1836, [Frederick Marryat], “In which Our Hero Follows His Destiny and Forms a Tableau”, in Mr. Midshipman Easy […], volume II, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC, page 124:

     My good fellow, we did not come here. Destiny brought us in a cart. She may take us to Tyburn in the same way.

   • 1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “(please specify the page number)”, in A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, pages 163–164:

     «A merry Christmas, Bob!» said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. «A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year! […]«

   • 1853, Cuthbert Bede [pseudonym; Edward Bradley], “Mr. Verdant Green’s Morning Reflections are Not so Pleasant as His Evening Diversions”, in The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, London: Nathaniel Cooke, (late Ingram, Cooke, and Co.) […], →OCLC, page 70:

     [«For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow»] For he’s a jolly good fellow! / For he’s a jolly good fellow!! / For he’s a jolly good f-e-e-ell-ow!!! / Which nobody can deny!

   • 1859–1861, [Thomas Hughes], “The First Bump”, in Tom Brown at Oxford: […], (please specify |part=1 or 2), Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, published 1861, →OCLC, page 207:

     «Don’t think about it, old fellow; that’s your best plan.» / «But I can’t think of any thing else,» said Tom. «What the deuce is the good of telling a fellow not to think about it?»

   • 1910, Saki [pseudonym; Hector Hugh Munro], “The Strategist”, in Reginald in Russia and Other Sketches, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 85:

     «There’ll be about ten girls,» speculated Rollo, as he drove to the function, «and I suppose four fellows, unless the Wrotsleys bring their cousin, which Heaven forbid. That would mean Jack and me agains three of them.»

   • 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC, page 85:

     By the way, Hopkins, let this go no further. We don’t want the tale running round that a rich person has arrived. Churchill, my dear fellow, we have such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb’s clothing.
8. (rare) Usually qualified by an adjective or used in the plural: an individual or person regardless of gender.

   • 1840 April – 1841 November, Charles Dickens, “Chapter the Thirty-fifth”, in The Old Curiosity Shop. A Tale. […], volume I, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1841, →OCLC, page 298:

     [H]e would sometimes reward her with a hearty slap on the back, and protest that she was a devilish good fellow, a jolly dog, and so forth; all of which compliments Miss Sally would receive in entire good part and with perfect satisfaction.

   • 1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, chapter XVII, in Great Expectations […], volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, →OCLC, page 287:

     The cut of her dress from the waist upward, both before and behind, made her figure very like a boy’s kite; and I might have pronounced her gown a little too decidedly-orange, and her gloves a little too intensely green. But she seemed to be a good sort of fellow, and showed a high regard for the Aged.

   • 1897, Bram Stoker, chapter V, in Dracula, New York, N.Y.: Modern Library, →OCLC, page 64:

     Lucy, you are an honest-hearted girl, I know. I should not be here speaking to you as I am now if I did not believe you clean grit, right through to the very depths of your soul. Tell me, like one good fellow to another, is there any one else that you care for?

   • 1915, Laura Lee Hope [pseudonym], “The Great Marine Film”, in The Moving Picture Girls at Sea: Or A Pictured Shipwreck that Became Real, Cleveland, Oh.; New York, N.Y.: The World Syndicate Publishing Co., →OCLC, page 3:

     Not that the girl on the couch, with closed eyes, was unrefined. But there was a wholesome air of good health about her that caused one to think of a «jolly good fellow,» rather than a girl who needed to be helped on and off trolley cars.

   • 1919 February 10, H[arold] A[lbert] Lamb, “Call of the Caribbean”, in People’s Favorite Magazine, volume XXIX, number 4, New York, N.Y.: Street & Smith Corporation, →OCLC, chapter VI, page 97, column 2:

     I had been studying the strange girl. […] / «What kind fellow this Mary?» I asked him. / Johnny Gorai shook his beflowered head vigorously. At the same time a crafty gleam crept into his faded eyes. / «What for Johnny Gorai know ’em good fellow Mary?» he asked in the bêche de mer which passed with him for English. / «Don’t lie to me,» I said. «You know ’em this fellow woman—or you’ve heard of her. Who is she?»

9. (by extension, often humorous or ironic) An animal or object.

   • 1828 May 15, [Walter Scott], chapter II, in Chronicles of the Canongate. Second Series. […] (The Fair Maid of Perth), volume I, Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Co.] for Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, →OCLC, page 55:

     In short, this fellow (laying his hand on his purse) who, thou knowest, father, was somewhat lank and low in condition when I set out four months since, is now as round and full as a six-weeks’ porker.
10. (archaic)
    1. One of a pair of things suited to each other or used together; a counterpart, a mate.

       • 1599, [William Shakespeare], The Cronicle History of Henry the Fift, […] (First Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Tho[mas] Millington, and Iohn Busby, […], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene viii]:

         Let me ſee thy gloue. Looke you, / This the fellovv of it. / It vvas I indeed you promiſed to ſtrike.

       • 1719 May 6 (Gregorian calendar)​, [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], 3rd edition, London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], published 1719, →OCLC, page 53:

         I vvalk’d about on the Shore, […] reflecting upon all my Comrades that vvere drovvn’d, […] I never ſavv them aftervvards, or any Sign of them, except three of their Hats, one Cap, and tvvo Shoes that vvere not Fellovvs.

       1. Originally (obsolete), a person’s partner (of either sex) in life or marriage; a spouse; also, the mate of an animal; now (dated), a person’s male lover or partner; a boyfriend; a husband.

          • 1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “[Book VIII.] Of Buls, Kine, and Oxen.”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the VVorld. Commonly Called, The Natvrall Historie of C. Plinivs Secvndus. […], 1st tome, London: […] Adam Islip, published 1635, →OCLC, page 224:

            [N]ovv vvhen they be but heyfers of one year, or tvvo years at the moſt (vvhich is more tollerable) they are let goe to the fellovv and breed.

          • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], page 11, column 2:

            I am your vvife, if you vvill marrie me; / If not, Ile die your maid: to be your fellovv / You may denie me, but Ile be your ſeruant / VVhether you vvill or no.

    2. (Australian Aboriginal) Alternative form of fella (“used as a general intensifier”)
11. (obsolete)
    1. A colleague or partner.

       • 1631, Francis [Bacon], “III. Century. [Experiment Solitary Touching the Like Operations of Heat, and Time.]”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] William Rawley; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], paragraph 294, page 76, →OCLC:

         Time, and Heat, are Fellovves in many Effects. Heat drieth Bodies, that doe eaſily expire; As Parchment, Leaues, Roots, Clay, &c. And, ſo doth Time or Age arefie; […]

       1. (specifically, also figuratively) An associate in the commission of a crime or other wrongful act; an accomplice.

          • 1634 October 9 (first performance), [John Milton], H[enry] Lawes, editor, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC, page 17:

            For certaine / Either ſome one like us night founder’d here, / Or elſe ſome neighbour vvood man, or at worſt / Some roaving robber calling to his fellovvs.

    2. A close companion or friend; also, a companion or friend whom one eats or drinks with.

       • 1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg: Eucharius Cervicornus and J. Soter?], →OCLC, xiij:[4–5], folio xliij, recto, column 2:

         If thou be for his profit, he vſeth the: but yf thou haue nothinge, he ſhal forſake the. As longe as thou haſt eny thinge of thine owne, he ſhal be a good felowe with the: Yee he ſhal make the a bare man, and not be ſory for it.

       • 1564 February, Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], “Nicolas Vdall vnto the Gentle and Honeste Harted Readers Well to Fare”, in Erasmus; Nicolas Udall, transl., Apophthegmes, that is to Saie, Prompte, Quicke, Wittie and Sentẽcious Saiynges, […], London: […] Ihon Kingston, →OCLC:

         [T]ruly for the Engliſheman to bee offended with the admixtion of Latine, or the Latine manne to miſlike the poutheryng of Greke, appereth vnto me a moche like thing, as […] one that drinketh ſingle Beere, ſhould be greued with his next feloe, for drinking ale or wine.

    3. Followed by of: one who participates in an activity; a participant.

       • c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 286, column 2:

         For behold me, / A Fellovv of the Royall Bed, vvhich ovve / A Moitie of the Throne: […]

       • 1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 604–606:

         [C]ruel his eye, but caſt / Signs of remorſe and paſſion to behold / The fellows of his crime, […]

    4. A man without good breeding or of lower social status; a common or ignoble man; also, used as a polite term of address to such a person.

       • c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 188, column 2:

         Gramercie fellovv: there, drinke that for me. Throvves him his Purſe.

       • c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby, published 1598, →OCLC; republished as Shakspere’s Loves Labours Lost (Shakspere-Quarto Facsimiles; no. 5), London: W[illiam] Griggs, […], [1880], →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:

         Thou fellovv, a vvorde. / VVho gaue thee this letter?

    5. A person’s servant or slave.

       • c. 1580 (date written)​, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “[The First Booke] Chapter 19”, in Fulke Greville, Matthew Gwinne, and John Florio, editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC; republished in Albert Feuillerat, editor, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (Cambridge English Classics: The Complete Works of Sir Philip Sidney; I), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1912, →OCLC, page 125:

         But before al of them were assembled to begin their sports, there came a fellow, who being out of breath (or seeming so to be for haste) with humble hastines told Basilius, that his Mistres, the Lady Cecropia, had sent him to excuse the mischance of her beastes ranging in that dãgerous sort, being happened by the folly of the keeper; […]

    6. (derogatory) A worthless person; a churl, a knave; also, used as a term of address to a person regarded as such.

       • 1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg: Eucharius Cervicornus and J. Soter?], →OCLC, Micheas [Micah] ij:[11], folio xcij, verso, column 2:

         Iff I were a fleſhly felowe, and a preacher of lyes and tolde them that they might ſyt bebbinge and bollynge, and be droncken: O that were a prophet for this people.

       • c. 1593 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Sims [and Peter Short] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC, [Act V, scene vi]:

         And vvho doth lead them but a paltrey fellovv? / Long kept in Brittaine at our mothers coſt, / A milkeſopt, one that neuer in his life / Felt ſo much colde as ouer ſhooes in ſnovv: […]

       • 1679; first published 1692, Robert South, “A Sermon Preached upon John vii. 17.”, in Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume I, 6th edition, London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727, →OCLC, page 230:

         Fellovvs that ſet up for Meſſias’s, only upon their ovvn Heads, vvithout pretending to any Thing ſingular or miraculous, but Impudence, and Impoſture.

       • 1734, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], epistle IV, London: Printed for J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC, lines 191–193, page 71:

         You’ll find, if once the Monarch acts the Monk, / Or Cobler-like, the Parſon vvill be drunk, / VVorth makes the man, and VVant of it the Fellovv; […]

       • 1749, Henry Fielding, “The Generous and Grateful Behaviour of Mrs. Miller”, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume VI, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book XVII, page 93:

         […] I knovv he hath, or you, vvhom I knovv to be all Goodneſs and Honour, vvould not, after the many kind and tender Things I have heard you ſay of this poor helpleſs Child, have ſo diſdainfully called him Fellovv.

       • 1826, [Benjamin Disraeli], chapter XIII, in Vivian Grey, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, book II, page 264:

         «This is some vile conspiracy of your own, fellow,» said de Bœffleurs; «marked cards indeed! a pretty tale, forsooth! The Ministers of a first-rate power playing with marked cards! […]«

       • 1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “In which is Given a Faithful Portraiture of Two Distinguished Persons; […]”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC, page 150:

         «Sir,» replied Mr. Pickwick in the same tone, «It is not half the insult to you, that your appearance in my presence in a green velvet jacket, with a two-inch tail, would be to me.» / «Sir,» said Mr. Tupman, «you’re a fellow.» / «Sir,» said Mr. Pickwick, «you’re another!»

    7. (UK, slang) Synonym of schoolmate (“a student at the same school”)

       • 1991, Stephen Fry, chapter III, in The Liar, London: William Heinemann, →ISBN, page 26:

         Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here’s a rum go. Old Biffo was jolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’

    8. (chiefly Southern US, derogatory) A black man.

Usage notes[edit]

• As regards sense 6 (“male person”), in North America the word is less likely to be used in comparison to other words that have the same purpose, such as chap or guy.
• As regards sense 7 (“an individual or person regardless of gender”), where the word is used for a female person, it may allude to the person having some masculine attributes.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

From Middle English felauen, felow (“to join (someone) in companionship, friendship, partnership, etc.”) [and other forms],^[3] from felowe, felau, felawe (noun): see etymology 1.^[4]

Verb[edit]

fellow (third-person singular simple present fellows, present participle fellowing, simple past and past participle fellowed)

1. (transitive)
   1. (archaic) To address (someone) as «fellow», especially in an insulting manner (see noun sense 10.6).

      • 1751 December (indicated as 1752), Henry Fielding, “Which Inclines Rather to Satir than Panegyric”, in Amelia, volume III, London: […] [William Strahan] for A[ndrew] Millar […], →OCLC, book VIII, page 161:

        ‘Don’t Fellovv me,’ ſaid the Bailiff, ‘I am as good a Fellovv as yourſelf, I believe, tho’ you have that Ribbond in your Hat there.’

      • 1837, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter IX, in Ernest Maltravers […] , volume II, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC, book IV, page 108:

        «I dare say—I dare day—my good fellow.» / «Fellow not me—I won’t be fellowed now; I say I have the best of it here—man to man—I am your match.»

   2. (chiefly passive, poetic, archaic) To equal (someone or something); also, to cause or find someone or something to be equal to (some other person or thing).

      • 1648, J[oseph] Hall, chapter C, in Select Thoughts: Or, Choice Helps for a Pious Spirit. […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Brooke, […], published 1654, →OCLC, pages 294–295:

        For my part, let me rather affect and applaud the harmleſs humor of that miſ-called Saint, vvho in an indiſcreet humility called every VVoolf his brother, and every Sheep, yea, every Ant his ſiſter, fellovving himſelf vvith every thing that had life in it, as vvell as himſelf; […]

   3. (obsolete)
      1. To pair or suit (someone or something) with some other person or thing; also, to pair or suit someone or something with (some other person or thing); to arrange (things) in pairs.
      2. (also reflexive) Followed by to or with: to associate or join (oneself, someone, or something) with some other person or thing in companionship or a partnership.

         • 1562–1565 (date written), Thomas Smyth [i.e., Thomas Smith], “The First Sort or Beginning of an House or Familie Called οἰκονομία”, in De Republica Anglorum. The Maner of Gouernement or Policie of the Realme of England, […], London: […] Henrie Midleton for Gregorie Seton, published 1583, →OCLC, pages 12–13:

           [A] man by nature is rather deſirous to fellow him ſelfe to another and ſo to liue in couple, than to adherd^{[sic – meaning adhere?]} himſelfe with many.

      3. (chiefly passive, sometimes reflexive) Followed by to or with: to cause or portray (someone or something) to be equal to some other person or thing.
      4. (poetic) To associate or go together with (someone or something); to become a partner of (someone or something).

         • c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 278, column 2:

           Affection? thy Intention ſtabs the Center. / Thou do’ſt make poſſible things not ſo held, / Communicat’ſt vvith Dreames (hovv can this be?) / VVith vvhat’s vnreall: thou coactiue art, / And fellow’ſt nothing.

           Affection! Your intention stabs the heart. / You do make possible things not so held, / Communicate with dreams (how can this be?). / You are coactive with what’s unreal / And associate with nothing.

         • 1628, I[oseph] F[letcher], “The Blessed Man, Setting-forth Mans Felicitie, in that His Regeneration is Procured”, in The Historie of the Perfect-Cursed-Blessed Man: […], London: […] M[iles] Flesher, […], →OCLC, page 57:

           Some fevv there vvere left all to follovv Him: / Eſteeming all to baſe to fellovv Him: / And joyfully receiv’d Him as their Lord, / Deriving their ſalvation from his VVord, […]

2. (intransitive, poetic, obsolete) Followed by with: to associate or join with a person or thing in companionship or a partnership.

   • a. 1633 (date written), Thomas Dekker, The Wonder of a Kingdome, London: […] Robert Raworth for Nicholas Vavasour, […], published 1636, →OCLC, Act IV:

     VVhere is the gentleman? ‘t vvas for his ſake / I vvould have lien vvith you, vvo’d it vvere as lavvfull to fellovv nights vvith him.

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• fellow on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams[edit]

• elf owl

Spanish[edit]

Noun[edit]

fellow m or f (plural fellows)

1. (education) fellow

Например, слово fellow (приятель, товарищ, коллега, собрат) происходит от древнеанглийского feolaga, что, в свою очередь, было заимствовано из скандинавского felagi. Данное же слово образовано от fe (имущество) и lag (складывать вместе). Таким образом, это слово в древнескандинавском обществе обозначало человека, который объединял часть своего имущества с имуществом другого для ведения какой-либо совместной деятельности.

Не меньший интерес в плане своего происхождения имеет слово husband (муж). Данное существительное происходит от скандинавского слова husbondi (крестьянин, владелец дома). Само слово husbondi состоит из двух слов: hus (дом) и bondi (живущий). В английский язык это слово вошло со значением «хозяин дома, глава семьи», а позднее приобрело современное значение — «муж».

Знакомое всем слово window (окно) было также заимствовано из скандинавского языка в форме vindauga, что буквально означает «глаз ветра». Всё дело в том, что в домах древних скандинавов окна были овальной формы, напоминавшими глаза, а сами окна были без стёкол, т.е. были всё время открыты. В ветреную погоду ветер просто задувал в эти отверстия, которые и получили такое необычное название.

Интересно происхождение слова humor (юмор, настроение, расположение духа). Слово это пришло в английский язык из латинского через французский, но в латинском это слово обозначает «влага, жидкость». Как же так получилось, что в современном английском языке (да и не только в нём) мы знаем это слово в совершенно другом значении? По мнению античных и средневековых учёных, жидкости, находящиеся в человеческом организме, влияли на формирование его характера. Так, в те времена выделяли четыре типа характера (темперамента) у человека — сангвинический, флегматический, холерический и меланхолический. В итоге слово humor утратило своё первоначальное значение и стало означать «настроение», а позднее — «юмор».

В XVI веке в английском языке появилось слово bank (банк), которое является заимствованием из итальянского языка. От итальянского banca (скамья) появилось слово banco — невысокие столики, которые выставлялись на площадях итальянских городов и за которыми сидели ростовщики, дававшие купцам деньги взаймы под определённый процент.

Вместе со словом bank в английский проникло и другое итальянское слово — bankrupt (банкрот), которое также интересно по своему происхождению. Итальянские ростовщики, дававшие деньги под проценты, часто пользовались не своими собственными денежными средствами, а занимали их у зажиточных людей, но под более низкий процент. Порой случалось так, что ростовщик разорялся и не мог выплатить долг своим кредиторам. Те же в знак протеста за неуплату долгов разбивали стол ростовщика, что служило показателем его неплатёжеспособности. Разбитый стол назывался banca rotta. Данное выражение проникло в английский язык в XVI веке, но под влиянием французского немного видоизменилось и приобрело свой современный вид.

Заслуживает внимание и ещё одно слово, которое пришло из итальянского. Это слово alarm (тревога, сигнализация), которое было заимствовано в также XVI веке. В те времена в Италии наряду с торговлей развивалось и военное дело. Само же слово alarm образовано от итальянского сочетания all’ armi, что буквально означает призыв «к оружию!», «тревога!». 

Конечно, приведённые выше примеры — это далеко не все слова, которые имеют занимательную историю своего происхождения. В английском языке их гораздо больше. На данных примерах мы всего лишь хотели показать, что язык — это не просто набор знаков и символов, но своего рода «организм», который живёт и изменяется.

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educalingo

I defy you to agitate any fellow with a full stomach.

William Cobbett

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD FELLOW

Old English fēolaga, from Old Norse fēlagi, one who lays down money, from fē money + lag a laying down.

PRONUNCIATION OF FELLOW

GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF FELLOW

Fellow is a noun.

WHAT DOES FELLOW MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Definition of fellow in the English dictionary

The first definition of fellow in the dictionary is a man or boy. Other definition of fellow is one or oneself. Fellow is also a person considered to be of little importance or worth.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH FELLOW

SYNONYMS OF «FELLOW»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «fellow» and belong to the same grammatical category.

TRANSLATION OF FELLOW

Find out the translation of fellow to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «FELLOW»

The term «fellow» is very widely used and occupies the 4.811 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.

Principal search tendencies and common uses of fellow

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «FELLOW» OVER TIME

10 QUOTES WITH «FELLOW»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word fellow.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «FELLOW»

Discover the use of fellow in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to fellow and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «FELLOW»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term fellow is used in the context of the following news items.

REFERENCE

« EDUCALINGO. Fellow [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/fellow>. Apr 2023 ».