ˈfænsɪ n.,
adj., & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 an
individual taste or
inclination (take a fancy to). 2 a
caprice or
whim. 3 a
thing favoured, e.g. a
horse to
win a race. 4 an
arbitrary supposition. 5 a
the faculty of using
imagination or of inventing
imagery. b a
mental image. 6
delusion;
unfounded belief. 7 (prec. by the)
those who have a
certain hobby; fanciers,
esp. patrons of
boxing. --adj. (usu. attrib.) (fancier, fanciest) 1
ornamental;
not plain. 2
capricious,
whimsical,
extravagant (at a fancy price). 3 based on imagination, not
fact. 4 US (of foods etc.)
above average quality. 5 (of flowers etc.)
particoloured. 6 (of an animal)
bred for particular points of
beauty etc. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 (foll. by
that + clause) be inclined to
suppose;
rather think. 2
Brit. colloq.
feel a
desire for (do
you fancy a drink?). 3 Brit. colloq.
find sexually
attractive. 4 colloq. have an unduly
high opinion of (oneself, one's
ability, etc.). 5 (in imper.) an
exclamation of
surprise (fancy
their doing that!). 6
picture to
oneself;
conceive,
imagine. øcatch (or take) the fancy of
please;
appeal to. fancy
dress fanciful costume, esp. for masquerading as a
different person or as an
animal etc. at a party. fancy-free
without (esp. emotional) commitments. fancy goods ornamental novelties etc. fancy
man sl. derog. 1 a woman's
lover. 2 a
pimp. fancy
woman sl. derog. a
mistress. fancy-work ornamental
sewing etc. øøfanciable adj. (in
sense 3 of v.). fancily adv. fanciness n. [contr. of FANTASY]
