\Fan"cy\, 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.
         In the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve
         Reason as chief. Among these fancy next Her office
         holds.                                --Milton.
2. An image or representation of anything formed in the mind;
   conception; thought; idea; conceit.
         How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone, Of
         sorriest fancies your companoins making ? --Shak.
3. An opinion or notion formed without much reflection;
   caprice; whim; impression.
         I have always had a fancy that learning might be
         made a play and recreation to children. --Locke.
4. Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason;
   as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of
   inclination or liking.
         To fit your fancies to your father's will. --Shak.
5. That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice
   without much use or value.
         London pride is a pretty fancy for borders.
                                               --Mortimer.
6. A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. [Obs.]
   --Shak.
{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.
         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}.

\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.
         If our search has reached no farther than simile and
         metaphor, we rather fancy than know.  --Locke.
2. To love. [Obs.] --Shak.

\Fan"cy\, v. t.
1. To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to
   imagine.
         He whom I fancy, but can ne'er express. --Dryden.
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.
3. To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine
   (something which is unreal).
         He fancied he was welcome, because those arounde him
         were his kinsmen.                     --Thackeray.

\Fan"cy\, a.
1. Adapted to please the fancy or taste; ornamental; as,
   fancy goods.
2. Extravagant; above real value.
         This anxiety never degenerated into a monomania,
         like that which led his [Frederick the Great's]
         father to pay fancy prices for giants. --Macaulay.
{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.