FENIAN

noun Etymology: Fen- (probably in part from Middle Irish Féni freeholders, legendary settlers of Ireland, in part from Irish fiann, genitive singular féinne band of warriors) + -ian Date: 1816 a member of a legendary band of warriors defending Ireland in the second and third centuries A.D., a member of a secret 19th century Irish and Irish-American organization dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland, ~ adjective ~ism noun