fairy

A mythical being of human form with magical powers, known in many sizes and descriptions, although typically depicted as a small sprite with gauze-like wings, especially one that is female. Fairies are revered in some modern forms of paganism.countableuncountable

• But for a dreſſing for her head I thinke for her I haue a Tyer, That all Fayryes ſhall admyre.
• "They used to say there were fairies in that hill, I must tell you!"

A male homosexual, especially one who is effeminate.countablederogatoryslang

An effeminate man or boy.countablederogatoryslang

• We saw a horrible sight in the bar: a white hipster fairy had come in wearing a Hawaiian shirt and was asking the big drummer if he could sit in.
• Wimpy names—e.g., Cecil, Clarence, and Wendell—also seem to carry homosexual overtones, because we all know that fairies are meek and wimpy, just as we know that all wimps are ‘fags’ in one sense or the other.

An attractive young woman; a small, graceful woman.colloquialcountableuncountable

• "When are we going to see this fairy?" demanded Algy. "You, personally, never. You're far too immoral. I might let the others look at her from a distance in a year or two."
• As she took out her key she was quite unaware that three pairs of eyes were watching her with interest from across the street. [...] ‘Strewth–’e ain’t ’arf got a fairy this time,’ remarked the husky Mr. Clegg.

An enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.countableuncountable

A member of two species of hummingbird in the genus Heliothryx.countableuncountable

A legendary Chinese immortal.countableuncountable

The realm of faerie; enchantment, illusion.obsoleteuncountable

• Which is sixteen leagues long, but is so full of Fairie and strange things that few people pass there without being lost or stopt, because therewithin dwelleth a king, Oberon the Fay.
• These he knew by their fiery eyes, and knew that he was at last in the land of Fairy.

The land or region inhabited by fairies; fairyland.obsoleteuncountable

• Beſides he's deft and wondrous Ayrye, And of the nobleſt of the Fayry, Chiefe of the Crickets of much fame, In Fayry a most ancient name.

Fairies considered collectively; fairy folk.countableobsoleteuncountable

• Beſides he's deft and wondrous Ayrye, And of the nobleſt of the Fayry, Chiefe of the Crickets of much fame, In Fayry a most ancient name.
• So lov'd thy name, that, at their monarch's choice All Fairy ſhouted with a general voice.

Like a fairy; fanciful, whimsical, delicate.