I. ˈfan(t)-sē transitive verb
( fan·cied ; fan·cy·ing )
Date: 14th century
1. : to have a fancy for : like
2. : to form a conception of : imagine
fancy our embarrassment
3.
a. : to believe mistakenly or without evidence
b. : to believe without being certain
she fancied she had met him before
4. : to visualize or interpret as
fancied myself a child again
Synonyms: see think
II. noun
( plural fancies )
Etymology: Middle English fantasie, fantsy imagination, image, illusion, preference, from Anglo-French fantasie illusion, from Latin phantasia, from Greek, appearance, imagination, from phantazein to present to the mind (middle voice, to imagine), from phainein to show; akin to Old English ge bōn ed polished, Greek phōs light
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : a liking formed by caprice rather than reason : inclination
took a fancy to the mutt
b. : amorous fondness : love
2.
a. : notion , whim
b. : an image or representation of something formed in the mind
3. archaic : fantastic quality or state
4.
a. : imagination especially of a capricious or delusive sort
b. : the power of conception and representation used in artistic expression (as by a poet)
5. : taste , judgment
6.
a. : devotees of some particular art, practice, or amusement
b. : the object of interest of such a fancy ; especially : boxing I
III. adjective
( fan·ci·er ; -est )
Date: 1646
1. : dependent or based on fancy : whimsical
2.
a.
(1) : not plain : ornamental
a fancy hairdo
(2) : swanky 2, posh
a fancy restaurant
b.
(1) : of particular excellence or highest grade
fancy tuna
(2) : impressive
posted some fancy numbers
c. of an animal or plant : bred especially for bizarre or ornamental qualities that lack practical utility
3. : based on conceptions of the fancy
fancy sketches
4.
a. : dealing in fancy goods
b. : extravagant
paying fancy prices
5. : executed with technical skill and style
fancy footwork
fancy diving
6. : parti-color
fancy carnations
• fan·ci·ly ˈfan(t)-sə-lē adverb
• fan·ci·ness -sē-nəs noun