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fancies

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fancies

 

  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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