Fairy
/ˈfeəri/noun
A small legendary being with magical powers; also, something enchanting or unreal.
Did you know?The word entered English through Old French from Latin-related roots meaning 'fate' or 'destiny,' and early fairy-lore often treated these beings less like cartoons and more like dangerous, otherworldly powers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dheh₁-
“to put, place, set”
Latin
Latin
fatum
“that which has been spoken; fate, destiny”
Late Latin
Latin
fata
“the Fates; destiny-spinners”
Old French
OF
faerie
“enchantment, illusion, magical realm; also a fairy being”
Middle English
English
faierie
“enchantment, fairyland, or a fairy creature”
Modern English
English
fairy
“a small supernatural being in folklore”