Fenian
Americannoun
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a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in New York in 1858, which worked for the establishment of an independent Irish republic.
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(in late Irish legends) a member of a group of warriors always ready to defend Ireland against its enemies.
noun
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(formerly) a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in the US in the 19th century to fight for an independent Ireland
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Irish myth one of the Fianna
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derogatory an Irish Catholic or a person of Irish Catholic descent
adjective
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The Irish radical - the Fenian - became a Victorian bogeyman.
From BBC • May 8, 2018
Remember, Lady Sibyl's Fenian nuptials were also denied to us.
From Slate • Jan. 14, 2013
The year 1866 is a memorable one in the history of Toronto as well as all Canada as the year of the Fenian raids.
From The Niagara River by Hulbert, Archer Butler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
