FAN'CY, noun [contracted from fantasy, Latin phantasia. Gr. from to cause to appear, to seem, to imagine, from to show, to appear, to shine. The primary sense seems to be to open, or to shoot forth.]

1. The faculty by which the mind forms images or representations of things at pleasure. It is often used as synonymous with imagination; but imagination is rather the power of combining and modifying our conceptions.

2. An opinion or notion.

I have always had a fancy that learning might be made a play and recreation to children.

3. Taste; conception.

The little chapel called the salutation in very neat, and built with a pretty fancy

4. Image; conception; thought.

How now, my lord, why do you keep alone;

Of sorriest fancies your companions making?

5. Inclination; liking. Take that which suits your fancy

How does this strike your fancy?

His fancy lay to traveling.

6. Love.

Tell me where is fancy bred.

7. Caprice; humor; whim; as an odd or strange fancy

True worth shall gain me, that it may be said,

Desert, not fancy once a woman led.

8. False notion.

9. Something that pleases or entertains without real use or value.

London-pride is a pretty fancy for borders.

FAN'CY, verb intransitive To imagine; to figure to one's self; to believe or suppose without proof. All may not be our enemies whom we fancy to be so.

If our search has reached no farther than simile and metaphor, we rather fancy than know.

FAN'CY, verb transitive

1. To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to imagine.

He whom I fancy but can ne'er express.

2. To like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners. We fancy a person for beauty and accomplishment. We sometimes fancy a lady at first sight, whom, on acquaintance, we cannot esteem.