Fenian

[ fee-nee-uhn, feen-yuhn ]

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

Other words from Fenian

Fe·ni·an·ism, noun

Words Nearby Fenian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Fenian in a sentence

He was in the Fenian r-raid, an' his father carrid a pike in forty-eight.
Mr. Dooley in Peace and in War | Finley Peter Dunne
Difficulties in Ireland culminated in a revival of Fenian activities and in the committing of numerous outrages.
The Story of the Great War, Volume I (of 8) | Various
This Limerick Junction was the nucleus of the Fenian nebula.
An Autobiography | Elizabeth Butler
The “Ram” collapsed with the collapse of the Fenian movement.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | Various
We admit that its Fenian topography is authentic, but it is not the only one.
Dean of Lismore's Book | Various

British Dictionary definitions for Fenian

Fenian

/ (ˈfiːnɪən) /

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

Origin of Fenian

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

Derived forms of Fenian

Fenianism, noun

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

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