Word: fairy Part of Speech: noun Etymology: 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. Pronunciation: /ˈfɛəɹi/, /ˈfeːɹiː/, /ˈfeːɹi/, /ˈfɛə̯ɹi/, /ˈfɛɹi/ 1. 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. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: But for a dreſſing for her head I thinke for her I haue a Tyer, That all Fayryes ſhall admyre. Example: "They used to say there were fairies in that hill, I must tell you!" 2. A male homosexual, especially one who is effeminate. Labels: countable, derogatory, slang, uncountable 3. An effeminate man or boy. Labels: countable, derogatory, slang, uncountable Example: 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. Example: We saw a horrible sight in the bar: a white hipster fairy had come in wearing a Hawaiian shirt and was asking the big drummer if he could sit in. 4. An attractive young woman; a small, graceful woman. Labels: colloquial, countable, uncountable Example: "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." Example: As she took out her key she was quite unaware that three pairs of eyes were watching her with interest from across the street. [...] ‘Strewth–’e ain’t ’arf got a fairy this time,’ remarked the husky Mr. Clegg. 5. An enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm. Labels: countable, uncountable 6. A member of two species of hummingbird in the genus Heliothryx. Labels: countable, uncountable 7. A legendary Chinese immortal. Labels: countable, uncountable 8. The realm of faerie; enchantment, illusion. Labels: obsolete, uncountable Example: 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. Example: These he knew by their fiery eyes, and knew that he was at last in the land of Fairy. 9. The land or region inhabited by fairies; fairyland. Labels: obsolete, uncountable Example: 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. 10. Fairies considered collectively; fairy folk. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: 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. Example: So lov'd thy name, that, at their monarch's choice All Fairy ſhouted with a general voice.