The elite cadre of Irish warriors who fought directly for the Ard Righ (High King) of Ireland.
They followed only the laws of the Ard Righ and their own code.
Myth and legend say to enter the Fenians, one had to stand in a three foot hole, allowing only size to turn, armed with only a rod and deflect 7 spears thrown at 30 feet. The test showed skill and lick and could only be tried once.

Also, the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish-American revolutionary (terrorist) group in the late 1800s. It made several attacks in Canada to little or no effect.

Nonetheless, my Mom called me a "little Fenian" when I was naughty, so at least the usage survived.

Fe"ni*an (?), n. [From the Finians or Fenii, the old militia of Ireland, who were so called from Fin or Finn, Fionn, or Fingal, a popular hero of Irish traditional history.]

A member of a secret organization, consisting mainly of Irishmen, having for its aim the overthrow of English rule in Ireland.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Fe"ni*an (?), a.

Pertaining to Fenians or to Fenianism.

 

© Webster 1913.