fancied

What it means

1. not comparableExisting only in the fancy (“imagination”) or by social convention; imaginary, imagined; supposed; perceived rather than real.

   Near-synonyms: conceptual, fanciful, ideal, notional

   5 more examples

   The plant was named for its fancied resemblance to a Roman spear.

   VVhy therefore may not the Angels that appeared to Lot, […] be underſtood of images of men, ſupernaturally formed in the Fancy; as vvell as before by Angel vvas underſtood a fancyed Voice?

   1651, Thomas Hobbes, “Of the Signification of Spirit, Angel, and Inspiration in the Books of Holy Scripture”, in Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill, London: […] [William Wilson] for Andrew Crooke, […], →OCLC, 3rd part (Of a Christian Common-wealth), page 212

   That being depriv'd of all the fancy'd Felicity vvhich he enjoy'd, in the full Exerciſe of all thoſe Vices, he ſaid, he vvas at leiſure to look upon the dark Side of them, vvhere he found all manner of Deformity, and vvas novv convinc'd, that Virtue only makes a Man truly vviſe, rich and great, and preſerves him in the VVay to a ſuperior Happineſs in a future State.

   1719, [Daniel Defoe], The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; […], London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], →OCLC, page 352

   Oh! if thou hover'ſt round my walk, / While, under ev'ry well-known tree, / I to thy fancy'd ſhadow talk, / And every tear is full of thee.

   a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Ode”, in [George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton], editor, The Works of James Thomson. […], volume II, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], published 1750, →OCLC, stanza III, page 220

   [S]till by the maid / Love went submiss, with eye more dangerous / Than fancied basilisk to wound whoe'er / Too bold approached, […]

   1796, Robert Southey, “Book the Ninth”, in Joan of Arc, an Epic Poem, Bristol: […] Bulgin and Rosser, for Joseph Cottle, […], and Cadell and Davies, and G. G. and J. Robinson, […], →OCLC, page 362, lines 903–906

   Synonyms: conceptual, fanciful, ideal, notional

2. not comparableOrganized, or (especially of attire) designed, to suit one's fancy or whim.

   Man does vvith dangerous Curioſity / Theſe unfathom'd VVonders try: / VVith fancy'd Rules and Arbitrary Lavvs / Matter and Motion he reſtrains, / And ſtudy'd Lines and fictious Circles dravvs; […]

   1688, Mat[thew] Prior, “On Exodus 3. 14. I Am that I Am. An Ode. […]”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], published 1709, →OCLC, stanza VI, page 4

3. not comparableHaving a fancy (“inclination, liking, or love”) for; desired, favourite.

   The visitors were worthy winners, taking the game to the highly fancied hosts from the first minute.

   2021 February 6, Graham Bean, “Scotland beat England at Twickenham for the first time in 38 years”, in The Scotsman, Edinburgh: The Scotsman Publications, JPIMedia Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 10 Jul 2022

   2 more examples

   Now St. Paul, "not willing to make" these ministers "a public example," concealeth their persons, yet discovereth the fault; and, making bold with his brethren, Apollos and Cephas, applieth to them and himself what the Corinthians spake of their fancied preachers. "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I am of Apollos; and I am of Cephas; and I am of Christ."

   1640, Thomas Fuller, “Faction Confuted”, in Ioseph’s Partie-coloured Coat: Containing, a Comment on Part of the II. Chapter of the I. Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians. […], London: […] Iohn Dawson, for Iohn Williams, […], →OCLC, pages 184–185

   I did not call him fool, and vex my friend, / But quietly allowed experiment, / Encouraged him to dust his drink, and now / Grate lignum vitæ now bruise so-called grains / Of Paradise, and now, for perfume, pour / Distilment rare, the rose of Jericho, / Holy-thorn, passion-flower, and what know I? / Till beverage obtained the fancied smack.

   1873 January 23, Robert Browning, “Part IV”, in Red Cotton Night-Cap Country: Or Turf and Towers, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC, page 245

In a sentence

Near-synonyms: conceptual, fanciful, ideal, notional

Where it comes from

From fancy (“to have a fancy for, like; to imagine, suppose”) + -ed.