fancy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The imagination.

   […] But know that in the soul / Are many lesser faculties, that serve / Reason as chief; among these Fancy next / Her office holds […]

2. 2
   noun

   An image or representation of anything formed in the mind.

   How now, my lord! why do you keep alone, / Of sorriest fancies your companions making, / Using those thoughts which should indeed have died / With them they think on?

3. 3
   noun

   An opinion or notion formed without much reflection.

   VVhen you have vvell vievved the Scenes and Deviliſh ſhapes of this Practical Metamorphoſis, and ſcan'd them in your ſerious thoughts, you vvill vvonder at their audacious phant'ſies, vvho ſeem to hold Specifical deformities, or that any part can ſeeme unhandſome in their Eyes, vvhich hath appeared good and beautiful unto their Maker: […]

4. 4
   noun

   A whim.

   I had a fancy to learn to play the flute.

5. 5
   noun

   Love or amorous attachment.

   And they’ve taken a fancy to me, Aunt said. Kitto and the others. That means they like me.

6. 6
   noun

   Liking.

   He took a fancy to the goods in the window.

7. 7
   noun

   The object of inclination or liking.

   For you, fair Hermia, look you arm yourself / To fit your fancies to your father’s will;

8. 8
   noun

   Any sport or hobby pursued by a group.

   Trainspotting is the fancy of a special lot.

Etymology

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.