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}.