1 definition found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Fancy \Fan"cy\, n.; pl {Fancies}. [Contr. fr fantasy, OF
fantasie, fantaisie F. fantaisie L. phantasia, fr Gr
???????? appearance, imagination, the power of perception and
presentation in the mind, fr ???????? to make visible, to
place before one's mind, fr ??????? to show akin to ????,
???, light, Skr. bh[=a]to shine. Cf {Fantasy}, {Fantasia},
{Epiphany}, {Phantom}.]
1. The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a
representation of anything perceived before the power of
combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or
images; the power of readily and happily creating and
recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit,
or embellishment; imagination.
In the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve
Reason as chief. Among these fancy next Her office
holds --Milton.
2. An image or representation of anything formed in the mind;
conception; thought; idea; conceit.
How now my lord ! why do you keep alone, Of
sorriest fancies your companoins making ? --Shak.
3. An opinion or notion formed without much reflection;
caprice; whim; impression.
I have always had a fancy that learning might be
made a play and recreation to children. --Locke.
4. Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason;
as to strike one's fancy; hence the object of
inclination or liking.
To fit your fancies to your father's will --Shak.
5. That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice
without much use or value.
London pride is a pretty fancy for borders.
--Mortimer.
6. A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. [Obs.]
--Shak.
{The fancy}, all of a class who exhibit and cultivate any
peculiar taste or fancy; hence especially, sporting
characters taken collectively, or any specific class of
them as jockeys, gamblers, prize fighters, etc
At a great book sale in London, which had
congregated all the fancy. --De Quincey.
Syn: Imagination; conceit; taste; humor; inclination; whim;
liking. See {Imagination}.
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