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fancily

 - 1 dictionary result
fan·cy   (fān'sē)   
n.   pl. fan·cies
  1. The mental faculty through which whims, visions, and fantasies are summoned up; imagination, especially of a whimsical or fantastic nature. See Synonyms at imagination.

  2. An image or a fantastic invention created by the mind.

  3. A capricious notion; a whim.

  4. A capricious liking or inclination.

  5. Critical sensibility; taste.

  6. Amorous or romantic attachment; love.

    1. The enthusiasts or fans of a sport or pursuit considered as a group.

    2. The sport or pursuit, such as boxing, engaging the interest of such a group.

adj.   fan·ci·er, fan·ci·est
  1. Highly decorated: a fancy hat.

  2. Arising in the fancy; capricious.

  3. Executed with skill; complex or intricate: the fancy footwork of a figure skater.

  4. Of superior grade; fine: fancy preserves.

  5. Excessive or exorbitant: paid a fancy price for the car.

  6. Bred for unusual qualities or special points.

tr.v.   fan·cied, fan·cy·ing, fan·cies
  1. To visualize; imagine: "She tried to fancy what the flame of a candle looks like after the candle is blown out" (Lewis Carroll).

  2. To take a fancy to; like.

  3. To suppose; guess.


[From Middle English fantsy, imagination, fantasy, from fantasie; see fantasy.]
fan'ci·ly adv., fan'ci·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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