What is "good folk"

Good \Good\, a. [Compar. Better; superl. Best. These words, though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are from a different root.] [AS. G[=o]d, akin to D. goed, OS. g[=o]d, OHG. guot, G. gut, Icel. g[=o][eth]r, Sw. & Dan. god, Goth. g[=o]ds; prob. orig., fitting, belonging together, and akin to E. gather. [root]29 Cf. Gather.]

1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc.

   And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
   --Gen. i. 31.

   Good company, good wine, good welcome.
   --Shak.

2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions.

   In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
   --Tit. ii. 7.

3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.

   The men were very good unto us.
   --1 Sam. xxv. 15.

4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; -- followed especially by for.

   All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit.
   --Collier.

5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed especially by at.

   He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
   --Shak.

   Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.
   --South.

6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit.

   My reasons are both good and weighty.
   --Shak.

   My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
   --Shak.

7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.

   Love no man in good earnest.
   --Shak.

8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.

9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.

   Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
   --Luke vi. 38.

10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc. A good name is better than precious ointment. --Eccl. vii.

    1. As good as. See under As. For good, or For good and all, completely and finally; fully; truly. The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all. --L'Estrange. Good breeding, polite or polished manners, formed by education; a polite education. Distinguished by good humor and good breeding. --Macaulay. Good cheap, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap. Good consideration (Law).

       1. A consideration of blood or of natural love and affection.
          --Blackstone.

       2. A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a contract. Good fellow, a person of companionable qualities. Good folk, or Good people, fairies; brownies; pixies, etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.] Good for nothing.

          1. Of no value; useless; worthless.

          2. Used substantively, an idle, worthless person. My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing. --Ld. Lytton. Good Friday, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion. Good humor, or Good-humor, a cheerful or pleasant temper or state of mind. Good humor man, a travelling vendor who sells Good Humor ice-cream (or some similar ice-cream) from a small refrigerated truck; he usually drives slowly through residential neighborhoods in summertime, loudly playing some distinctive recorded music to announce his presence. Good nature, or Good-nature, habitual kindness or mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of being in good humor. The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character. --Macaulay. The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics. --Hawthorne. Good people. See Good folk (above). Good speed, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old form of wishing success. See Speed. Good turn, an act of kidness; a favor. Good will.

             1. Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling.

             2. (Law) The custom of any trade or business; the tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and others, to resort to an established place of business; the advantage accruing from tendency or inclination. The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place. --Lord Eldon. In good time.

                1. Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor too late.

                2. (Mus.) Correctly; in proper time.

                   To hold good, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the condition still holds good.

                   To make good, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to clear; to vindicate.

                   Each word made good and true.
                   --Shak.

                   Of no power to make his wishes good.
                   --Shak.

                   I . . . would by combat make her good.
                   --Shak.

                   Convenient numbers to make good the city.
                   --Shak.

                   To think good, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with; to consider expedient or proper.

                   If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.
                   --Zech. xi. 1

    2. Note: Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night, good evening, good morning, etc.