Fancies definition

Fancies





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1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Fancy \Fan"cy\ (f[a^]n"s[y^]), 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.
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              In the soul
              Are many lesser faculties, that serve
              Reason as chief. Among these fancy next
              Her office holds.                     --Milton.
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     2. An image or representation of anything formed in the mind;
        conception; thought; idea; conceit.
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              How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone,
              Of sorriest fancies your companoins making ? --Shak.
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     3. An opinion or notion formed without much reflection;
        caprice; whim; impression.
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              I have always had a fancy that learning might be
              made a play and recreation to children. --Locke.
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     4. Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason;
        as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of
        inclination or liking.
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              To fit your fancies to your father's will. --Shak.
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     5. That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice
        without much use or value.
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              London pride is a pretty fancy for borders.
                                                    --Mortimer.
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     6. A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. [Obs.]
        --Shak.
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     {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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              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}.
          [1913 Webster]

















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