Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in New York in 1858, which worked for the establishment of an independent Irish republic.
- (in late Irish legends) a member of a group of warriors always ready to defend Ireland against its enemies.
noun
- (formerly) a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in the US in the 19th century to fight for an independent Ireland
- Irish myth one of the Fianna
- derogatory, offensive an Irish Catholic or a person of Irish Catholic descent
adjective
- of or relating to the Fenians
1816, blend of Old Irish feinne, plural of fiann, name of a band of Irish warriors + Old Irish Fene, name of the ancient inhabitants of Ireland. Reference to Irish-American brotherhood of that name first attested 1864.