Fenian

[fee-nee-uh n, feen-yuh n]

noun

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

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

Origin of Fenian

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

Related formsFe·ni·an·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fenian

Historical Examples of fenian

Of course you have heard of the great Fenian raid, which really is to come off.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 8, May 21, 1870
Various
Yates got a pass, written by the Fenian general, so that we should not be troubled again.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
I would rather not name the Fenian leaders I knew, and the reason is this.
Ireland as It Is
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
The Fenian conception was high-souled, and had some romance about it.
Ireland as It Is
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
Possibly at the moment, the vulgar Fenian seemed the finer fellow.
Lord Kilgobbin
Charles Lever

British Dictionary definitions for fenian

Fenian

noun

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

Irish myth one of the Fianna

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

adjective

of or relating to the Fenians

Derived FormsFenianism, noun

Word Origin for Fenian

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

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

Word Origin and History for fenian

Fenian

1816, blend of Old Irish feinne, plural of fiann, name of a band of Irish warriors + Old Irish Fene, name of the ancient inhabitants of Ireland. Reference to Irish-American brotherhood of that name first attested 1864.