— Fenianism , n.
/fee"nee euhn, feen"yeuhn/ , n.
1. a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in New York in 1858, which worked for the establishment of an independent Irish republic.
2. (in late Irish legends) a member of a group of warriors always ready to defend Ireland against its enemies.
[ 1810-20; féinne (gen. of fiann band of Fenians) + -IAN; influenced by OIr féne ancient inhabitant of Ireland ]