fairy

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fairy

/ˈfɛəɹi/ UK
/ˈfeːɹiː/ General South African
/ˈfeːɹi/ Australia
/ˈfɛə̯ɹi/
/ˈfɛɹi/
/ˈfeəɹi/ New Zealand
/ˈfiəɹi/
/ˈfeɾe/ Scotland
/ˈfeɾɪ/ Scotland
/ˈfeɾi/ Scotland
/ˈfɜːɹɪ/

Sounds like ferry (Mary–marry–merry merger), furry (fair–fur merger) · Rhymes with -ɛəɹi

Where it comes from

From Middle English faierie, fairie, from Old French faerie, from fae (from Latin fāta (“goddess of fate”)) + -erie. Equivalent to fay + -ry. Attested in English from about 1330, in King Alisaunder, first in the sense of "enchantment, illusion, dream" ("that thou herdest is fairye") and shortly thereafter "realm of the fays, fairy-land" and "the inhabitants of fairyland, collectively". The re-interpretation of the term as a countable noun denoting individual inhabitants of fairy-land can be traced to the 1390s, but became common only in the 16th century, perhaps due to reinterpreting phrases like faerie knight.

noun fairies · faery · faëry · faerie · faërie · færie

countable, uncountable A mythical being of human form with magical powers, known in many sizes and descriptions, although typically depicted as a small sprite with gauze-like wings, especially one that is female. Fairies are revered in some modern forms of paganism. But for a dreſſing for her head I thinke for her I haue a Tyer, That all Fayryes ſhall admyre.
countable, derogatory, slang, uncountable A male homosexual, especially one who is effeminate.
countable, derogatory, slang, uncountable An effeminate man or boy. The cripple returned the smile and stuck out his hand. Miss Lonelyhearts clasped it, and they stood this way, smiling and holding hands, until Mrs. Doyle reëntered the room. "What a sweet pair of fairies you guys are," she said. The cripple pulled his hand away and made as though to strike his wife.
colloquial, countable, uncountable An attractive young woman; a small, graceful woman. "When are we going to see this fairy?" demanded Algy. "You, personally, never. You're far too immoral. I might let the others look at her from a distance in a year or two."
countable, uncountable An enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.
countable, uncountable A member of two species of hummingbird in the genus Heliothryx.
countable, uncountable A legendary Chinese immortal.
obsolete, uncountable The realm of faerie; enchantment, illusion. Which is sixteen leagues long, but is so full of Fairie and strange things that few people pass there without being lost or stopt, because therewithin dwelleth a king, Oberon the Fay.
obsolete, uncountable The land or region inhabited by fairies; fairyland. Beſides he's deft and wondrous Ayrye, And of the nobleſt of the Fayry, Chiefe of the Crickets of much fame, In Fayry a most ancient name.
countable, obsolete, uncountable Fairies considered collectively; fairy folk. Beſides he's deft and wondrous Ayrye, And of the nobleſt of the Fayry, Chiefe of the Crickets of much fame, In Fayry a most ancient name.

adjective more fairy · most fairy · faery · faëry · faerie · faërie

Like a fairy; fanciful, whimsical, delicate.

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