fairy

English

/ˈfɛə̯ɹi/, /ˈfɛə̯ɹi/, /ˈfɛɹi/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) The realm of faerie; enchantment, illusion.
  • A mythical being with magical powers, known in many sizes and descriptions, although often depicted in modern illustrations only as a small sprite with gauze-like wings, and revered in some modern forms of paganism.
  • An enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.
  • (Northern England) A male homosexual, especially one who is effeminate.
  • A member of two species of hummingbird in the genus Heliothryx.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English fairye derived from Old French faerie derived from Latin *Fāta, fātum (fate, destiny, destiny told by the gods) suf from English Fate root from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- (speak, shine, say, glow).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*bʰeh₂-

Gloss

speak, shine, say, glow

Concept
Semantic Field

Speech and language

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

話

Emoji
🗣️ 🗣️ 🙊

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms