Fairy

Fairy, fār′i, n. an imaginary being, generally of diminutive and graceful human form, capable of kindly or unkindly acts towards man: fairy-folk collectively: an enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.—adj. like a fairy, fanciful, whimsical, delicate.—adv. Fair′ily.—n.pl. Fair′y-beads, the separate joints of the stems of fossil crinoids found in carboniferous limestone.—ns. Fair′y-butt′er, a name applied in northern England to certain gelatinous fungi; Fair′ydom; Fair′yhood, Fair′yism; Fair′yland, the country of the fairies.—adj. Fair′y-like, like or acting like fairies.—n. Fair′y-mon′ey, money given by fairies, which quickly changes into withered leaves, &c.: money found.—ns.pl. Fair′y-rings, -cir′cles, spots or circles in pastures, either barer than the rest of the field, or greener—due to the outwardly spreading growth of various fungi.—ns. Fair′y-stone, a fossil echinite found abundantly in chalk-pits; Fair′y-tale, a story about fairies: an incredible tale. [O. Fr. faerie, enchantment—fae (mod. fée). See Fay.]