■ noun
1》 a man or boy.
2》 a person in the same position or otherwise associated with another.
↘a thing of the same kind as or otherwise associated with another.
3》 a member of a learned society.
↘ Brit. an incorporated senior member of a college.
↘(also research ~ ) an elected graduate receiving a stipend for a period of research.
↘a member of the governing body in some universities.
■ adjective sharing a particular activity, quality, or condition: a ~ sufferer.
Origin
OE fēolaga 'a colleague' (lit. 'one who lays down money in a joint enterprise'), from ON félagi , from fé 'property, money' + the Gmc base of lay 1 .