fancy ball

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Extravagant; above real value.
      [1913 Webster]

            This anxiety never degenerated into a monomania,
            like that which led his [Frederick the Great's]
            father to pay fancy prices for giants. --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   {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.
      [1913 Webster]
    

[email protected]