fancy

== English == === Alternative forms === fancie, fansie, fant’sy, phancie, phancy, phansie, phansy, phant’sy (all obsolete) === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈfæn.si/ Rhymes: -ænsi === Etymology 1 === From Middle English fansy, fantsy, a contraction of fantasy, fantasye, fantasie, from Old French fantasie, from Medieval Latin fantasia, from Late Latin phantasia (“an idea, notion, fancy, phantasm”), from Ancient Greek φαντασία (phantasía), from φαντάζω (phantázō, “to render visible”), from φαντός (phantós, “visible”), from φαίνω (phaínō, “to make visible”); from the same root as φάος (pháos, “light”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰh₂nyéti, from the root *bʰeh₂- (“to shine”). Doublet of fantasia, fantasy, phantasia, and phantasy. ==== Noun ==== fancy (plural fancies) The imagination. An image or representation of anything formed in the mind. Synonyms: conception, thought, idea An opinion or notion formed without much reflection. Synonym: impression A whim. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:whim Love or amorous attachment. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:predilection The object of inclination or liking. Any sport or hobby pursued by a group. Synonyms: hobby; see also Thesaurus:hobby The enthusiasts of such a pursuit. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:fan A diamond with a distinctive colour. That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value. 18th century, John Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving Land, cited in Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language, 1755,[2] London-pride is a pretty fancy, and does well for borders. A bite-sized sponge cake, with a layer of cream, covered in icing. a French fancy; a fondant fancy; cream fancies (obsolete) A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. In the game of jacks, a style of play involving additional actions (contrasted with plainsies). (obsolete, slang, in combination) A colored neckerchief worn at prizefights to show support for a contender. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Adjective ==== fancy (comparative fancier, superlative fanciest) Decorative, or featuring decorations, especially intricate or diverse ones. Synonyms: decorative, ornate Antonyms: plain, simple Of a superior grade. Synonym: high-end Executed with skill. (colloquial) Unnecessarily complicated. Synonym: highfalutin Antonym: simple (obsolete) Extravagant; above real value. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Descendants ===== → German: fancy → Norwegian Bokmål: fancy → Norwegian Nynorsk: fancy ===== Translations ===== ==== Adverb ==== fancy (not comparable) (nonstandard) In a fancy manner; fancily. === Etymology 2 === From Middle English fancien, fantasien, fantesien, from Old French fantasier, from the noun (see above)). ==== Verb ==== fancy (third-person singular simple present fancies, present participle fancying, simple past and past participle fancied) (formal) To appreciate without jealousy or greed. (British) Would like; have a desire for. Synonym: feel like (British, informal) To be sexually, aesthetically or romantically attracted to. Synonym: (US) like (dated or in a set phrase) To imagine, suppose. To form a conception of; to portray in the mind. Synonym: imagine To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners. (transitive) To breed (animals) as a hobby. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === See also === fantasy fancy man fancypants fancy woman fancy is as fancy does === References === === Further reading === Fancy in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911) == Danish == === Etymology === Borrowed from English fancy. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈfæːnsi/ === Adjective === fancy (indeclinable) fancy === References === “fancy” in Den Danske Ordbog == German == === Etymology === Borrowed from English fancy. Doublet of Fantasie. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈfɛnsi/ === Adjective === fancy (indeclinable) (colloquial) fancy (decorative, not everyday, high-end) Synonyms: schick, ausgefallen, fein ==== Declension ==== The form fancy is indeclinable: eine fancy Uhr. However, optional declined and compared forms can be built from the stem fancig: eine fancige Uhr. === Further reading === “fancy” in Duden online “fancy” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache == Norwegian Bokmål == === Etymology === Borrowed from English fancy. === Adjective === fancy (indeclinable) fancy === References === “fancy” in The Bokmål Dictionary. == Norwegian Nynorsk == === Etymology === Borrowed from English fancy. === Adjective === fancy (indeclinable) fancy === References === “fancy” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.