Fenian

[ fee-nee-uhn, feen-yuhn ]

noun

1. a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in New York in 1858, which worked for the establishment of an independent Irish republic.
2. (in late Irish legends) a member of a group of warriors always ready to defend Ireland against its enemies.

Fenian

/ ˈfiːnɪən /

noun

1. (formerly) a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in the US in the 19th century to fight for an independent Ireland
2. Irish myth one of the Fianna
3. derogatory.
   an Irish Catholic or a person of Irish Catholic descent

adjective

1. of or relating to the Fenians

Derived Forms

• ˈFenianism, noun

Other Words From

• Feni·an·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fenian¹

1810–20; < Irish f éinne (genitive of fiann band of Fenians) + -ian; influenced by Old Irish f éne ancient inhabitant of Ireland

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fenian¹

C19: from Irish Gaelic fēinne , plural of fian band of warriors

Example Sentences

That wasn’t likely to please all Irish nationalists in the first place, and immediately became a hot issue for the pro-imperialist British right, which depicted home rule as a woke radical socialist surrender to savage Fenian terrorists.

From Salon

The men shouted "Fenian" and "taig", derogatory terms referring to Catholics, as well as hammering and kicking at the door.

From BBC

From there it will travel onto Fenian Street, ending on Denzille Lane.

From BBC

The doorbell camera captured footage of the men shouting "Fenian" and "taig", both derogatory terms referring to Catholics.

From BBC

Parnell had little interest in politics until, in 1867, three Fenian volunteers were publicly hanged for a murder they had not committed.

From New York Times