Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun One of a legendary group of heroic Irish warriors of the second and third centuries AD.
- noun A member of a secret revolutionary organization in the United States and Ireland in the mid-19th century, dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A modern English form of Irish Fiann, Fianna, a name applied in Irish tradition to the members of certain tribes who formed the militia of the ardrig or king (see
ardrigh ) of Eire or Erin (the Fianna Eirionn, or champions of Erin). - noun A member of an association of Irishmen known as the Fenian Brotherhood, founded in New York in 1857, with a view to secure the independence of Ireland.
- Of or belonging to the Fenians of Irish legend: as, the Fenian stories; the Fenian period.
- Of or belonging to the organization called the Fenian Brotherhood: as, a Fenian invasion; a Fenian outrage.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A member of a secret organization, consisting mainly of Irishmen, having for its aim the overthrow of English rule in Ireland.
- adjective Pertaining to Fenians or to Fenianism.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun UK, Ireland An Irish nationalist or republican.
- noun historical A member of the Fenian Brotherhood or the Irish Republican Brotherhood, Irish republican organizations active in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
- noun derogatory A
Catholic , especially one of Irish ethnicity or descent. - noun derogatory A supporter of Scottish association football club Celtic F.C.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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This cycle of romance is usually called the Fenian cycle because it deals so largely with Finn Mac Cumhail and his Fenian militia.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 8: Infamy-Lapparent 1840-1916 1913
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The last of the Dublin Fenian cases were disposed of on
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Fenian is a term i dont at all mind - cause i do know the orgigins ... but fenian bastard, ans we all know what that is about. and of course there were horrofic atrocities perputated by republicans - kids killed in steet bombs, young women slaughtered in pubs on a night out.
The World's Best Dieting Aid Alan Smart 2009
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Here is what he said: In my communication of the 5th instant, I left the leaders of the so-called Fenian movement under guard at Fort Pembina.
The Fenian Invasion of 1871 Trish Short Lewis 2005
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I could not admit that the demoniac atrocities, described as Fenian principles by the constabulary-spy Talbot, ever had my sanction or approval or the sanction or approval of any man in America.
Speeches from the Dock, Part I Various
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These communications warrant the President in believing that the so-called Fenian expedition is now entirely, at an end, and that order and tranquility may be expected to prevail henceforth on that border.
Troublous Times in Canada A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870 1884
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Incredibly, however, the Police and the Procurator Fiscal, Scotland's CPS, decided that anyone who used the term "Fenian" in a derogatory or negative manner towards those supporting IRA terrorism were being "bigoted or racist" against the Irish community and would be thus arrested and charged with a criminal offence.
On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2008
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The name "Fenian" is of very remote antiquity, and appears to be most comprehensive in its signification, and to be peculiarly adapted to the great confraternity of patriots which now engrosses so much of the history of passing events.
Ridgeway An Historical Romance of the Fenian Invasion of Canada Scian Dubh 1855
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From what is here stated, it must be obvious, that no more appropriate name than that of "Fenian" could be given to the organization which now holds the destiny of Ireland in its hands, and which has ramified itself throughout almost every portion of the habitable globe.
Ridgeway An Historical Romance of the Fenian Invasion of Canada Scian Dubh 1855
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A "Fenian" Claddagh, without the crown, was later designed in Dublin for the Irish Republican community, but that is not an indication that the crown in the original design was intended as a symbol of fidelity to the British crown.
de.lirio.us 2008
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