Fenian

[ fee-nee-uhn, feen-yuhn ]

noun
  1. a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in New York in 1858, which worked for the establishment of an independent Irish republic.

  2. (in late Irish legends) a member of a group of warriors always ready to defend Ireland against its enemies.

Origin of Fenian

1
1810–20; <Irish féinne (genitive of fiann band of Fenians) + -ian; influenced by Old Irish féne ancient inhabitant of Ireland

Other words from Fenian

  • Fe·ni·an·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Fenian in a sentence

  • Accordingly after 1867 the Fenians attempted to make republicanism an essential part of their propaganda.

    The Evolution of Sinn Fein | Robert Mitchell Henry
  • The battle for political freedom of thought and action which the Fenians had fought had its result.

    The Evolution of Sinn Fein | Robert Mitchell Henry
  • As the Fenians always do exactly what they promise to do, this may be relied upon as certain to happen.

  • And as for cards, it's enough for Miss Kostalergi to be in the room to make one forget not only the cards, but the Fenians.'

    Lord Kilgobbin | Charles Lever
  • The constituents of Wood were the very Fenians whom in our ignorance we call American.

    Greater Britain | Charles Wentworth Dilke

British Dictionary definitions for Fenian

Fenian

/ (ˈfiːnɪən) /


noun
  1. (formerly) a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in the US in the 19th century to fight for an independent Ireland

  2. Irish myth one of the Fianna

  1. derogatory, offensive an Irish Catholic or a person of Irish Catholic descent

adjective
  1. of or relating to the Fenians

Origin of Fenian

1
C19: from Irish Gaelic fēinne, plural of fian band of warriors

Derived forms of Fenian

  • Fenianism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012