(formerly) the convict population of a penal colony, esp in Australia
felonry in American English
(ˈfɛlənri)
noun
felons collectively
felonry in American English
(ˈfelənri)
noun
1.
the whole body or class of felons
2.
the convict population of a penal colony
Word origin
[1830–40; felon + -ry]This word is first recorded in the period 1830–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: format, isometric, orientation, rococo, walkover-ry is a suffix of nouns denoting occupation, business, calling or condition, place orestablishment, goods or products, things collectively, qualities, actions, etc. Otherwords that use the affix -ry include: bottomry, casuistry, dentistry, pastry, summitry