Fair | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Fāir, a.

adjective

a. [compar. FAIRER; superl. FAIREST.] [A-S. fāger, O. Sax. & O. H. Ger. fagar, Icel. fagr, Sw. fager, Dan. faver, faur, Goth. fagrs.]

Sense 1. Free from spots, specks, dirt, imperfection, or hinderance; unblemished; clear; open; spotless; pure.

Sense 2. Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.

Who can not see many a fair French city, for me, fair French maid. Shak.

Sense 3. Free from a dark hue; of a light shade; spotless; clear; as, a fair skin.

The northern people large and fair-complexioned. Hale.

Sense 4. Not overcast; cloudless;—said of the sky; propitious; favorable;—said of the wind or weather; as, a fair sky or day.

You wish fair winds may waft him over. Prior.

Sense 5. Free from obstacles or hinderances; unincumbered; open;—said of a road or passage, and the like; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.

The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged. Raleigh.

Close by my side she sat, and fair in sight. Dryden.

Sense 6. Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias;—said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing, or offers. “Show fair duty to his majesty.” Shak. “I would call it fair play.” Shak.

Sense 7. Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence;—said of words, promises, and the like.

When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frightened into our duty. L’Estrange.

Sense 8. Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.

Sense 9. Free from any marked characteristic; not distinguished or unusual; moderate; middling.

The news is very fair and good. Shak.

Synonyms—Candid; open; frank; ingenuous; clear; honest; equitable; impartial; reasonable. See CANDID.

Fair play, equitable treatment.

Fâir, adv.

adverb

Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; agreeably.

To bid fair, to be likely, or to have a fair prospect; to promise.—Fair and square, justly; honestly; equitably; impartially.

Fâir, n.

noun

n. 1. A fair woman; a handsome female. 2. Fairness; beauty. [Obs.] Shak.

The fair, the female sex.

Fâir, n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. fere, feire, N. Fr. foire, Pr. & Pg. feira, Sp. feria, It. fiera, from Lat. feria, pl. feriæ, days of rest, holidays, festivals, because the fairs were generally held in the church-yard, and even in the church, on holidays and feasts of dedication, when the people resorted to the churches.] A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled with their merchandise at a stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for the exhibition of wares and the conduct of business.

From all parts they are coming, As if we kept a fair. Shak.

Fancy fair, a special sale of fancy articles, usually conducted by ladies for the benefit of some charity.