Fancy \Fan"cy\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fancied}, p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Fancying}.]
   1. To figure to one's self; to believe or imagine something
      without proof.
      
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            If our search has reached no farther than simile and
            metaphor, we rather fancy than know.  --Locke.
      
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   2. To love. [Obs.] --Shak.
      
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Fancy \Fan"cy\ (f[a^]n"s[y^]), n.; pl. {Fancies}. [Contr. fr.
   fantasy, OF. fantasie, fantaisie, F. fantaisie, L. phantasia,
   fr. Gr. ???????? appearance, imagination, the power of
   perception and presentation in the mind, fr. ???????? to make
   visible, to place before one's mind, fr. ??????? to show;
   akin to ????, ???, light, Skr. bh[=a]to shine. Cf. {Fantasy},
   {Fantasia}, {Epiphany}, {Phantom}.]
   1. The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a
      representation of anything perceived before; the power of
      combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or
      images; the power of readily and happily creating and
      recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit,
      or embellishment; imagination.
      
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            In the soul
            Are many lesser faculties, that serve
            Reason as chief. Among these fancy next
            Her office holds.                     --Milton.
      
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   2. An image or representation of anything formed in the mind;
      conception; thought; idea; conceit.
      
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            How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone,
            Of sorriest fancies your companoins making ? --Shak.
      
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   3. An opinion or notion formed without much reflection;
      caprice; whim; impression.
      
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            I have always had a fancy that learning might be
            made a play and recreation to children. --Locke.
      
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   4. Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason;
      as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of
      inclination or liking.
      
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            To fit your fancies to your father's will. --Shak.
      
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   5. That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice
      without much use or value.
      
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            London pride is a pretty fancy for borders.
                                                  --Mortimer.
      
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   6. A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. [Obs.]
      --Shak.
      
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   {The fancy}, all of a class who exhibit and cultivate any
      peculiar taste or fancy; hence, especially, sporting
      characters taken collectively, or any specific class of
      them, as jockeys, gamblers, prize fighters, etc.
      
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            At a great book sale in London, which had
            congregated all the fancy.            --De Quincey.

   Syn: Imagination; conceit; taste; humor; inclination; whim;
        liking. See {Imagination}.
        
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Fancy \Fan"cy\, v. t.
   1. To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to
      imagine.
      
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            He whom I fancy, but can ne'er express. --Dryden.
      
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   2. To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with,
      particularly on account of external appearance or manners.
      "We fancy not the cardinal." --Shak.
      
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   3. To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine
      (something which is unreal).
      
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            He fancied he was welcome, because those arounde him
            were his kinsmen.                     --Thackeray.
      
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Fancy \Fan"cy\, a.
   1. Adapted to please the fancy or taste, especially when of
      high quality or unusually appealing; ornamental; as, fancy
      goods; fancy clothes.
      
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   2. Extravagant; above real value.
      
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            This anxiety never degenerated into a monomania,
            like that which led his [Frederick the Great's]
            father to pay fancy prices for giants. --Macaulay.
      
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   {Fancy ball}, a ball in which porsons appear in fanciful
      dresses in imitation of the costumes of different persons
      and nations.

   {Fancy fair}, a fair at which articles of fancy and ornament
      are sold, generally for some charitable purpose.

   {Fancy goods}, fabrics of various colors, patterns, etc., as
      ribbons, silks, laces, etc., in distinction from those of
      a simple or plain color or make.

   {Fancy line} (Naut.), a line rove through a block at the jaws
      of a gaff; -- used to haul it down.

   {Fancy roller} (Carding Machine), a clothed cylinder (usually
      having straight teeth) in front of the doffer.

   {Fancy stocks}, a species of stocks which afford great
      opportunity for stock gambling, since they have no
      intrinsic value, and the fluctuations in their prices are
      artificial.

   {Fancy store}, one where articles of fancy and ornament are
      sold.

   {Fancy woods}, the more rare and expensive furniture woods,
      as mahogany, satinwood, rosewood, etc.
      
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