n.
Pronunciation: ' f ē -n ē - ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Fen- (prob. 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
1 : a member of a legendary band of warriors defending Ireland in the second and third centuries A.D.
2 : a member of a secret 19th century Irish and Irish-American organization dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland
– Fenian adjective
– Fe · ni · an · ism \ - ə - ˌ ni-z ə m \ noun