Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fancy \Fan"cy\, n.; pl. {Fancies}. [Contr. fr. fantasy, OF.
   fantasie, fantaisie, F. fantaisie, L. phantasia, fr. Gr.
   ???????? appearance, imagination, the power of perception and
   presentation in the mind, fr. ???????? to make visible, to
   place before one's mind, fr. ??????? to show; akin to ????,
   ???, light, Skr. bh[=a]to shine. Cf. {Fantasy}, {Fantasia},
   {Epiphany}, {Phantom}.]
   1. The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a
      representation of anything perceived before; the power of
      combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or
      images; the power of readily and happily creating and
      recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit,
      or embellishment; imagination.

            In the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve
            Reason as chief. Among these fancy next Her office
            holds.                                --Milton.

   2. An image or representation of anything formed in the mind;
      conception; thought; idea; conceit.

            How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone, Of
            sorriest fancies your companoins making ? --Shak.

   3. An opinion or notion formed without much reflection;
      caprice; whim; impression.

            I have always had a fancy that learning might be
            made a play and recreation to children. --Locke.

   4. Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason;
      as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of
      inclination or liking.

            To fit your fancies to your father's will. --Shak.

   5. That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice
      without much use or value.

            London pride is a pretty fancy for borders.
                                                  --Mortimer.

   6. A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. [Obs.]
      --Shak.

   {The fancy}, all of a class who exhibit and cultivate any
      peculiar taste or fancy; hence, especially, sporting
      characters taken collectively, or any specific class of
      them, as jockeys, gamblers, prize fighters, etc.

            At a great book sale in London, which had
            congregated all the fancy.            --De Quincey.

   Syn: Imagination; conceit; taste; humor; inclination; whim;
        liking. See {Imagination}.