Fenian

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

/ ˈfi ni ən, ˈfin yən /

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 forms

Fe·ni·an·ism, noun

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

Examples from the Web for fenian

Since the Fenian scheme went to pieces, the rats have left their holes.
The Art of Disappearing|John Talbot Smith
The pupils are told here about the "Trent" and "Alabama" affairs, and the Fenian raids of 1866.
Ontario Teachers' Manuals: History|Ontario Ministry of Education
The year 1866 is a memorable one in the history of Toronto as well as all Canada as the year of the Fenian raids.
The Niagara River|Archer Butler Hulbert
Such an organization, if sufficiently liberally constituted, might command the support of Gallic and Fenian Catholics.
Monks, Popes, and their Political Intrigues|John Alberger

This is the reason why his first successful boat was known as the Fenian Ram, despite the fact that it was not a "ram" at all.
The Victory At Sea|William Sowden Sims

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

Derived Forms

Fenianism, 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