n. (pl. folk or folks) 1 (treated as pl.) people in general or of a specified class (few folk about; townsfolk). 2 (in pl.) (usu. folks) one's parents or relatives. 3 (treated as sing.) a people. 4 (treated as sing.) colloq. traditional music. 5 (attrib.) of popular origin; traditional (folk art). folk-dance 1 a dance of popular origin. 2 the music for such a dance. folk etymology a popular modifying of the form of a word or phrase to make it seem to be derived from a more familiar word (e.g. forlorn hope). folk memory recollection of the past persisting among a people. folk-singer a singer of folk-songs. folk-song a song of popular or traditional origin or style. folk-tale a popular or traditional story. folk-ways the traditional behaviour of a people.
[ OE folc f. Gmc ]