Part 4166

<blockquote>In the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve Reason as chief. Among these <b>fancy</b> next Her office holds. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>An image or representation of anything formed in the mind; conception; thought; idea; conceit.</def>

<blockquote>How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone, Of sorriest <b>fancies</b> your companoins making ? <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>An opinion or notion formed without much reflection; caprice; whim; impression.</def>

<blockquote>I have always had a <b>fancy</b> that learning might be made a play and recreation to children. <i>Locke.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason; <as>as, to strike one's <ex>fancy</ex></as>; hence, the object of inclination or liking.</def>

<blockquote>To fit your fancies to your father's will. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value.</def>

<blockquote>London pride is a pretty <b>fancy</b> for borders. <i>Mortimer.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<cs><col>The fancy</col>, <cd>all of a class who exhibit and cultivate any peculiar taste or fancy; hence, especially, sporting characters taken collectively, or any specific class of them, as jockeys, gamblers, prize fighters, etc.</cd></cs>

<blockquote>At a great book sale in London, which had congregated all <b>the fancy</b>. <i>De Quincey.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Imagination; conceit; taste; humor; inclination; whim; liking. See <er>Imagination</er>.</syn>

<h1>Fancy</h1> <Xpage=542>

<hw>Fan"cy</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Fancied</er> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Fancying</er> <tt>(<?/)</tt>.]</wordforms> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To figure to one's self; to believe or imagine something without proof.</def>

<blockquote>If our search has reached no farther than simile and metaphor, we rather <b>fancy</b> than know. <i>Locke.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To love.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Fancy</h1> <Xpage=542>

<hw>Fan"cy</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to imagine.</def>

<blockquote>He whom I <b>fancy</b>, but can ne'er express. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners.</def> "We <i>fancy</i> not the cardinal."

<i>Shak.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine (something which is unreal).</def>

<blockquote>He <b>fancied</b> he was welcome, because those arounde him were his kinsmen. <i>Thackeray.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Fancy</h1> <Xpage=542>

<hw>Fan"cy</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Adapted to please the fancy or taste; ornamental; <as>as, <ex>fancy</ex> goods</as>.</def>