Fenian

American  

[fee-nee-uhn, feen-yuhn] / ˈfi ni ən, ˈfin yən /

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 British  

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• Fenianism noun

Etymology

Origin of Fenian

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

Example Sentences

Parnell had little interest in politics until, in 1867, three Fenian volunteers were publicly hanged for a murder they had not committed.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2021

With 2-1 morning-line favorite Jess My Kiss shortening up 100 yards in distance and coming off a seven-month layoff, I will opt for Fenian Faith as the one to beat.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2019

According to the writer, the action in McCabe's novel is set at "the start of modern terrorism... during the time of the Fenian dynamite campaign".

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2018

Remember, Lady Sibyl's Fenian nuptials were also denied to us.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2013

Fenian, fē′ne-an, n. a member of an association of Irishmen founded in New York in 1857 for the overthrow of the English government in Ireland.—adj. belonging to the legendary Fenians, or to the modern conspirators.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various