fairy
UK[ˈfeəri]US[ˈferi]
n
a small imaginary being with magical powers, often represented as having wings
n
(offensive slang) a male homosexual
Morpheme Breakdown
fair
y
fair
fairy
y
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'fairy' has a rich journey through romance languages into english. it originates from the latin word 'fata', referring to 'the fates', the mythological goddesses who controlled human destiny. this evolved into the old french 'faerie', a term describing the land of enchantment and its magical inhabitants. entering middle english as 'fairie', the meaning shifted from the realm itself to the diminutive, magical beings who reside there, with the '-y' suffix solidifying its role as a noun for such a creature.
Analysis
Structure: fair (fairy) + y (noun suffix)
fair (from middle english 'fairie', meaning 'fairyland, enchantment', of old french origin, ultimately from latin 'fata' meaning 'the fates'); y (a noun-forming suffix of middle english origin, from old english '-ig', used to form nouns denoting a state, condition, or being).
Examples
the children believed a tiny fairy lived at the bottom of the garden.
in the story, the fairy godmother used her magic to transform a pumpkin into a carriage.
the illustration depicted a beautiful fairy with gossamer wings resting on a flower.