from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fancy \Fan"cy\, a.
1. Adapted to please the fancy or taste, especially when of
high quality or unusually appealing; ornamental; as, fancy
goods; fancy clothes.
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2. Extravagant; above real value.
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This anxiety never degenerated into a monomania,
like that which led his [Frederick the Great's]
father to pay fancy prices for giants. --Macaulay.
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{Fancy ball}, a ball in which porsons appear in fanciful
dresses in imitation of the costumes of different persons
and nations.
{Fancy fair}, a fair at which articles of fancy and ornament
are sold, generally for some charitable purpose.
{Fancy goods}, fabrics of various colors, patterns, etc., as
ribbons, silks, laces, etc., in distinction from those of
a simple or plain color or make.
{Fancy line} (Naut.), a line rove through a block at the jaws
of a gaff; -- used to haul it down.
{Fancy roller} (Carding Machine), a clothed cylinder (usually
having straight teeth) in front of the doffer.
{Fancy stocks}, a species of stocks which afford great
opportunity for stock gambling, since they have no
intrinsic value, and the fluctuations in their prices are
artificial.
{Fancy store}, one where articles of fancy and ornament are
sold.
{Fancy woods}, the more rare and expensive furniture woods,
as mahogany, satinwood, rosewood, etc.
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