adjective

fey

Marked by approaching death.

The fey soldier marches toward a battle he will not survive.

Etymology

Old English fǣge meant doomed to die. This sense preserves the older meaning of fey, particularly the belief that approaching death may mark someone’s behavior.

More examples

  • In the final chapter, the fey king prepares for his last battle.
  • The prophecy marks the young prince as fey.
  • She watches the fey sailors leave, knowing they will never return.

Forms

fey

Similar words

doomed
Doomed predicts certain ruin or death, not necessarily soon.
moribund
Moribund describes someone already dying, rather than destined to die.