01 n. collect. & pl. In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group of townships or villages; a community; a tribe.
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1.
In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group of townships or villages; a community; a tribe.(Eng. Hist.) [Obs.]“The organization of each folk, as such, sprang mainly from war.” — J. R. Green.
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2.
People in general, or a separate class of people; -- generally used in the plural form, and often with a qualifying adjective; as, the old folks; poor folks.[Colloq.]“In winter's tedious nights, sit by the fire With good old folks, and let them tell thee tales.” — Shak.
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3.
The persons of one's own family; as, our folks are all well.[Colloq. New Eng.]
Phrases & compounds
Folk song —
one of a class of songs long popular with the common people.
Folk speech —
the speech of the common people, as distinguished from that of the educated class.