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Fenian

(fē′nē ən, fēn′yən)

noun

any of a group of legendary military heroes of ancient Ireland
☆ a member of a secret revolutionary movement formed in New York and Ireland to free Ireland from English rule: the movement was most active in the 1860s and continued until WWI

Origin: < pl. of Ir Gael Fiann, the old militia of Ireland, after Finn, Fionn, hero of Irish tradition: assoc. with OIr fēne, inhabitant of Ireland

adjective

of the Fenians

Related Forms:

Fenianism noun

See Fenian in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One of a legendary group of heroic Irish warriors of the second and third centuries A.D.
A member of a secret revolutionary organization in the United States and Ireland in the mid-19th century, dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland.

Origin:

Origin: From alteration (influenced by féne, body of freemen under early Irish law)

Origin: of Irish Gaelic fianna, bands of young warriors

Origin: , from Old Irish fíanna

Origin: , pl. of fían

Related Forms: