Discuss fancy here.
FANCY (a shortened form, dating from the 15th century, of “fantasy,” which is derived through the O. Fr. fantasie, modern fantasie, display, showing forth, as a philosophical term, the presentative power of the mind. The word “fancy” and the older form “fantasy,” which is now chiefly used poetically, was in its early application synonymous with imagination, the mental faculty of creating representations or images of things not present to the senses; it is more usually, in this sense, applied to the lighter forms of the imagination. “Fancy” also commonly means inclination, whim, caprice. The more learned form “phantasy,” as also such words as “phantom” and “phantasm,” is chiefly confined to visionary imaginings.
verb
I 1) To suppose or believe without substantial grounds; imagine; as, he fancies that it will make him rich.
“The best that can be said is poor compared to what one can fancy for one’s self.” - Christian Reid “Heart of Steel”
2) To take a fancy or liking to; be attracted by the external appearance of; take pleasure in; as, he fancies rowing rather than riding.
“People are not apt to fancy. Bearers of unwelcome news.” - Saxe “How the Raven Became Black”
3) To conceive in the fancy; have a notion; as, to fancy a distinction or theory.
4 [Rare] To breed by the arts of the fancier
II 1) To form a fancy; imagine; as, it is one thing to fancy, another to know.
2) [Colloq. Eng.] To suppose; guess; believe; as, the day will be cloudy, I fancy.
3) To love
SYNONYMS - guess, like
adjective
1) Adapted to please the fancy; ornamental; decorative; as fancy embroidery.
“With his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own, and the envy of all neighboring establishments.” - Disraeli “Vivian Grey”
2) Evolved from the fancy; imaginary; ideal; as, a fancy sketch.
3) [Commercial] Characterized by variety, refinement of finish, variegated colors, or unusual request; opposed to staple; as, fancy goods.
Fancy goods are small wares and ornamental fabrics or choice articles in general; in the dry goods trade, ribbons, silks, laces, etc.; in the
druggists and allied trades, toilet articles, ornamental leather goods, etc.; in the grocery trade, Italian wares, fine liquors, etc. Fancy cloth has
gay colors or an ornamental design.
4) Characterized by or suited to a whim or hobby; extravagant; as, a fancy farmer; fancy poultry.
“Fancy prices are prices that are unwarrantable.” - H.W. Beecher “Plymouth Pulpit”
5) [Vulgar, U.S.] Immoral; fast; as, a fancy woman.
noun
1) The power or act of forming pleasing, graceful, whimsical, or odd mental images, or of combining them with little regard to rational processes of construction; imagination in its lower form; hence, in former usage, the reimaging faculty of the mind; fantasy; often spelled phantasy.
The present use of the word fancy is literary rather than psychological. Fantasy has largely taken its place as a name for the reimaging power, or
representation in the narrow sense. It is oftenest used as synonymous with imagination in its lower form as the picturing power exercised with something of thought and rational aim. Formerly it was commonly confounded with the creative imagination or construction, scientific, artistic, and
practical; but since the criticisms of Wordsworth and Coleridge the tendency has been to distinguish it carefully from these powers and processes and
to confine it to its proper literary uses.
“The appellations in common use to designate these processes, or the capacities for their exercise, as fancy, imagination, invention, reverie, are not applied with technical exactness, nor do they answer the needs of a philosophical explanation.” - Porter “Human Intellect”
2) Any product of the exercise of this faculty; an imaginary notion, representation, or image; whimsical notion; vagary; as, the fancies of youth; a pleasing fancy.
“Marriage represents facts, courtship fancies.” - Geo. Meredith “Egoist”
3) A baseless or visionary idea; notion; impression; as, he had a fancy there was treasure buried on his land.
4) A liking or fondness, as if resulting from caprice; preference, or the object toward which it is directed; as, a fancy for botany; the suggestion
takes my fancy.
“If she were to take a fancy to anybody in the house she would soon settle, but not till then.” - Charlotte Bronte “Villette”
5) A pet pursuit; an object sought after to gratify the taste or a whim without regard to utility; a hobby; fad.
6) A roller on a carding-engine which acts as a brush to raise the fibers out of the sifts, to make them ready for the doffer.
7 [Archaic] Taste exhibited in production; artistic invention; design; as, the edifice showed a cultivated fancy.
8) A short piece of music without words.
9) An aglet.
