whimsy

Etymology

Probably from whims + -y. Related to whim-wham, whim.

noun

1. A quaint and fanciful idea; a whim; playfully odd behaviour.
   It’s a lovely sequence cut too short because the show seems afraid to give itself over to romance and whimsy and wistfulness when it has wedgie jokes to deliver. 27 May 2012, Nathan Rabin, “The Simpsons (Classic): ‘New Kid on the Block’ [season 4, episode 8; originally aired 12 November 1992]”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 2020-09-18
2. An impulsive, illogical or capricious character.
3. (mining) A whim (capstan or vertical drum).
4. A jigsaw puzzle piece that has been cut into a recognizable shape, as if on a whim; often the shape is representative of the theme of the image used for the puzzle.
   "Dori, you have to solve this puzzle!" / "Sure, right away doctor. Quality construction … clean edges. Oh, a whimsy!" 29 January 2016, Krister Johnson, “One Million Saved”, in Childrens Hospital, season 7, episode 2

verb

1. (transitive) To fill with whimsies or whims; to make fantastic; to craze.