Word Origin & History
fairyc.1300, "enchantment, magic," from O.Fr. faerie "land of fairies, meeting of fairies, enchantment, magic," from fae "fay," from L. fata (pl.) "the Fates." In reference to a class of supernatural beings, the word is not used before mid-15c. The slang meaning "effeminate male homosexual" is first recorded
EXPAND1895. Fairy ring is from 1590s. Fossil sea urchins found on the English downlands were called fairy loaves.
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