A pert or bluff important wight, Whose brain is fanciless, whose
blood is white.
Armstrong.
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. bhto 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.