fairies

see definition of fairies

nounsupernatural being

Word Origin & History

c.1300, fairie, "enchantment, magic," from Old French faerie "land of fairies, meeting of fairies, enchantment, magic," from fae "fay," from Latin fata (plural) "the Fates," from PIE *bha- "to speak" (see fame (n.)).

As "a supernatural creature" from late 14c. [contra Tolkien; cf. "This maketh that ther been no fairyes" in "Wife of Bath's Tale"], perhaps via intermediate forms such as fairie knight "supernatural or legendary knight" (early 14c.). The diminutive winged beings so-called in children's stories seem to date from early 17c.

The slang meaning "effeminate male homosexual" is first recorded 1895. Fairy ring is from 1590s. Fossil sea urchins found on the English downlands were called fairy loaves.

Example Sentences for fairies

Each of these fairies was about the height of a cambric needle.

He had never harmed the fairies, therefore he feared no evil from them.

Returning to the mountain, the fairies, in a band, went with him to the great rock.

As for the fairies, they met together to see what could be done.

Now it was Puck who led the fairies as the great peacemaker.

The Cymric fairies of our days have had many troubles to complain of.

They could not sleep while the fairies were having their parties.

All this was only chaff and fun, for all the fairies were in good humor.

This did not mean that these fairies had ever been through college.

All fairies that were accustomed to turn mortals into cheese.

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Synonyms for fairies

noun supernatural being

More words related to fairies

little people

noun. common people

dwarfs
elfenfolk
elves
fairies
fairyfolk
laborers
leprechauns
midgets
the unremarkable

Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.