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.

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
3. derogatory.
   an Irish Catholic or a person of Irish Catholic descent

adjective

1. of or relating to the Fenians

Derived Forms

• ˈFenianism, noun

Other Words From

• Feni·an·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fenian¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fenian¹

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

Example Sentences

He was in the Fenian r-raid, an' his father carrid a pike in forty-eight.

From Project Gutenberg

Difficulties in Ireland culminated in a revival of Fenian activities and in the committing of numerous outrages.

From Project Gutenberg

This Limerick Junction was the nucleus of the Fenian nebula.

From Project Gutenberg

The “Ram” collapsed with the collapse of the Fenian movement.

From Project Gutenberg

We admit that its Fenian topography is authentic, but it is not the only one.

From Project Gutenberg