Fowled: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term 'fowled' comes from Middle English, deriving from the word 'foul', which means dirty or unpleasant.
• It originally referred to catching or trapping birds, indicating a state of being ensnared or polluted.
• Over time, the word evolved to describe not just birds but any situation that has gone awry.

Literature

• In Shakespeare's works, imagery of being 'fowled' often symbolizes moral corruption or chaos.
• Contemporary poetry sometimes uses 'fowled' to express emotional or psychological states, representing feelings of being trapped or overwhelmed.
• Many classic tales use fowling as a motif to signify loss or misfortune, portraying characters caught in their own situations.

Environmental Science

• The phrase 'fowled waters' refers to polluted water bodies that are unsafe for wildlife and humans alike.
• Human activities like industrial waste disposal can lead to environmental fowling, causing severe ecosystem damage.
• Cleaning up fowled environments often requires substantial efforts and innovative strategies to restore health.

Folklore

• Many cultures have folklore about birds getting fowled in traps, symbolizing human struggles and the need for freedom.
• In some Native American traditions, birds represent the spirit, and being fowled reflects a loss of that spirit's purity.
• Fables often illustrate the consequences of a fowled environment, where animals succumb to human negligence.