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fair

fair¹ definition

fair (fer)

adjective

attractive; beautiful; lovely
unblemished; clean a fair name
Etymology: < notion that light coloring was desirable
light in color; blond fair hair
clear and sunny; free from storm or the threat of storm
easy to read; clear a fair hand
just and honest; impartial; unprejudiced; specif., free from discrimination based on race, religion, sex, etc. fair employment practices, fair housing
according to the rules a fair blow
likely; promising; advantageous he is in a fair way to make money
pleasant and courteous
favorable; helpful a fair wind
of moderately good size a fair fortune
neither very bad nor very good; average in fair condition
apparently favorable but really false; specious fair words
Archaic without obstacles; clear and open a fair road
Baseball of or having to do with the part of the field on or between the foul lines, including home plate

Etymology: ME < OE fæger, akin to fain, Goth fagrs, apt, fit < IE base *pek-, to be content, make (something) pretty > Lith púošiu, to ornament

noun

Obsolete beauty
Archaic a woman
Archaic something fair, or good

adverb

in a fair manner
straight; squarely struck fair in the face
Baseball in or into the part of the field that is on or between the foul lines, including home plate

intransitive verb

Dialectal to become clear: said of the weather

transitive verb

to give a smooth or streamlined surface to

Related Forms:

fairness fair′·ness noun

fair Idioms

fair and square

Informal with justice and honesty

fair to middling

Informal moderately good; passable

no fair

not according to the rules: often used as an interjection

fair² definition

fair (fer)

noun

Historical a gathering of people held at regular intervals for barter and sale of goods
a festival or carnival where there is entertainment and things are sold, often for charity; bazaar
☆
1. an event consisting of a usually competitive exhibition of livestock, handicrafts, garden produce, etc. plus amusement facilities and educational displays
2. world's fair
3. any of various shows or conventions on a particular theme, typically consisting of booths, educational exhibits, vendors, etc.: usually in combination science fair, book fair

Etymology: ME feire < OFr < ML feria < LL, holiday (in LL(Ec), weekday) < L feriae, pl., festivals < OL fesiae, akin to L festus (see feast) < IE base *dhēs-, used in religious terms > Oscan fíísnu, temple, Arm dikʼ, gods