Main Entry:

Fe·ni·an

Pronunciation:

\ˈfē-nē-ən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Fen- (probably in part from Middle Irish Féni freeholders, legendary settlers of Ireland, in part from Irish fiann, genitive singular féinne band of warriors) + -ian

Date:

1816

1 : a member of a legendary band of warriors defending Ireland in the second and third centuries a.d. 2 : a member of a secret 19th century Irish and Irish-American organization dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland

— Fenian adjective

— Fe·ni·an·ism \-ə-ˌni-zəm\ noun