fairn.2
/fɛː/, U.S. /fɛ(ə)r/ 1. A periodical gathering for the buying and selling of goods, at a place and time set out by charter, statute, or ancient custom, and often incorporating sideshows, competitions, and other entertainments. Later also: (U.S.) an annual competitive exhibition of livestock, agricultural products, etc., held by a town, county, or state; an agricultural show.Bartholomew, cheese-, Easter-, Michaelmas, goose-, hiring-, horse-, mop, street fair, etc.: see the first element.In the United Kingdom, many of the traditional (chartered) fairs are now mainly or wholly given over to entertainment (cf. sense 2).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trading place > market > [noun]
marketlOE
fair?a1300
marta1450
open market1455
tryst1776
feria1844
rialto1879
mkt.1896
society > leisure > social event > large or public event > [noun] > fair
fair?a1300
kermis1577
playa1586
gaff1753
market fair1776
street fair1854
?a1300 Dame Sirith l. 77 in G. H. McKnight Middle Eng. Humorous Tales (1913) 4 He was gon To þe feire of botolfston In lincolne-schire.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. v. l. 119 (MED) Ich wente to þe Feire With mony maner marchaundise.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 328 (MED) In feire & markette þei salle seke him oute.
1489 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 119 A blak horss boycht..in the fayre.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxijv The faier, on the day of sainct Michaell the Archangell, kepte in..the toune of Caen.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 12 To neglect a great faire, and to seeke to make markets aftewards.
1686 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 181 Ye freemen..of New Castle..Requesting a Fare to be kept in yt Towne twice a year.
1701 London Gaz. No. 3718/4 The Fairs held at the City of Bristol at St. James-Tide, and at St. Pauls-Tide.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. xiii. 219 If such market or fair be on the same day with mine, it is prima facie a nusance to mine.
1804 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. III. 304 If the King grants to a person a fair for one day in the year, and the grantee holds a fair two days,..he shall forfeit his franchise.
1844 Farmers' Cabinet 15 Oct. 73/1 New York State Fair and Cattle Show at Poughkeepsie.
1856 Spirit of Times 11 Oct. 95/1 The Ladies' Riding Match at the Monroe County Fair.
1903 Daily Chron. 7 Dec. 5/1 In America the word ‘fair’ has been preserved to describe meetings at which prizes are awarded for farm live stock.
1956 S. H. Bell Erin's Orange Lily vi. 91 Years ago, dealers from the North of England attended the Irish fairs to buy two-year-old cattle.
1976 E. W. Moore Fairs Medieval Eng. 10 The length and even the dates of individual fairs were changed from time to time.
2001 High Country News 19 Nov. 15/2 Don't be picking on pigs, says a swine judge at the Arizona State Fair.
2. Chiefly British. A gathering for entertainment at which rides, sideshows, and other amusements are set up, typically (but not always) on a temporary or periodical basis; the place at which such rides and amusements are set up; = funfair n. at fun n. and adj. Compounds.Arising out of sense 1, and difficult to distinguish from that sense in earlier use.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > place of amusement or entertainment > fairground or amusement park > [noun] > fun fair
fair1763
funfair1908
carnival1931
carny1931
show1949
1763 London Chron. 8 Jan. 1/3 On Saturday the River Thames was frozen over so hard at Isleworth, that a fair was kept on it all day... There was a round-about for children to ride in, and all sorts of toys sold.
1798 C. Cruttwell Univ. Gazetteer III. at Spa During the water drinking season, the town is furnished like a fair with a variety of toys, &c.
1864 J. G. Bertram Glimpses Real Life xvii. 164 The penny-showman fights his battle of life, industriously wandering from one fair to another... At these places are usually congregated a multifarious crowd of exhibitions, swings, merry-go-rounds, Punch-and-Judys, and living skeletons.
1921 A. Huxley Crome Yellow (1922) xxv. 253 Crome's yearly Charity Fair had grown into a noisy thing of merry-go-rounds, cocoanut shies, and miscellaneous side shows—a real genuine fair on the grand scale.
1950 Oxf. Junior Encycl. IX. 209/1 All the paraphernalia of a modern fair is carried in vans and on trailers from fairground to fairground.
1987 W. Russell Our Day Out (1993) 72 You can't come all the way to the seaside and not pay a visit to the fair... I might take even you for a ride on the waltzer.
2009 Scotsman (Nexis) 4 Nov. 6 Things that you forgot you loved to do—going down the helter-skelter at the fair, eating candy floss, going on the dodgems.
3. An exhibition, esp. one designed to publicize a particular product or the products of one industry, country, etc. Frequently with modifying word.Recorded earliest in book fair n. at book n. Compounds 1a.job, toy-, trade fair, etc.: see the first element. Cf. also World's Fair n. at world n. Compounds 9b.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trading place > market > [noun] > publicizing specific product or industry
fair1798
1798 Monthly Mag. Suppl. No. 33, 15 July 513/1 The great diversity of critical essays on language, which continually appear on the Leipzig book-fairs.
1823 National Advocate (N.Y.) 31 July It is the intention of the New-York Mechanic and Scientific Institution to hold a fair in November next in this city.
1884 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 31 Dec. 4/2 To-day all the clutter of the aisles was removed and the fair presented..a more regular and orderly arrangement of exhibits.
1919 J. A. de Haas Foreign Trade & Shipping v. 83 One of the most interesting recent developments in foreign trade promotion is the opening in many parts of the world of ‘sample fairs’.
1952 Sat. Rev. (U.S.) 25 Oct. 67/1 This year's Audio Fair will show a tremendous improvement in speakers designed in the conventional way.
2006 New Yorker 25 Dec. 148/2 The art world is so event-driven these days that if you don't take part in the major fairs you almost don't exist in the public mind.
4. In later use also in form fayre. An event at which (typically homemade or second-hand) goods are sold to raise money for charity, often (in later use) incorporating competitions, displays, sideshows, etc.; = fête n. 1b.church, fancy fair, etc.: see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > [noun] > bazaar, jumble sale, or sale of work
bazaar1807
fair1826
fête1830
festival1843
church fair1844
sale of work1859
rummage sale1890
jumble-sale1898
jumble1931
mini-market1976
1826 Gospel Advocate 16 June 185/2 The first sewing society of Baltimore, auxiliary to the Education Society, propose to hold a Fair for the sale of a variety of Fancy Articles and Toys.
1896 Churchman 4 Apr. 21/2 A fair in aid of the Gallaudet Home for Aged and Infirm Deaf-Mutes will be held in the Sunday-school rooms.
1920 Proc. 225th Session N.Y. Yearly Meeting Relig. Soc. Friends 41 Our First-day School..has just held a fair to raise money for the colored schools of the South.
1989 Community Express (Austral.) (Nexis) 21 Feb. Organised by the women's auxiliary, the fair will include produce and cake stalls, second-hand furniture and games.
2002 P. Hudson & A. Knapp Activate! II. vi. 41/2 Elm Avenue Junior School held its annual School Fayre last Saturday with the aim of raising money to buy sports equipment.
Phrases
P1. (to come) a day after the fair: (to arrive or occur) too late.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [phrase] > too late
(to come) a day after the fair1546
too late a weeka1616
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. viii. sig. C But a daie after the fayre, comth this remors, For relefe.
1605 T. Heywood If you know not Me sig. G3v You are in your loue as free as in your care, You're come euen iust a day after the fayre.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode iii. i. 34 You came a day after the Fair.
1718 S. Keimer Brand Pluck'd from Burning 66 But Bragg-all drop'd into a Tag-hole, So came a Day after the Fair.
1790 M. P. Andrews Better Late than Never v. 69 Too late for such kindness—a day after the fair, Eh, Master Blackball.
1843 C. G. F. Core Banker's Wife xx. 63/1 If it's to wait on Madam Hecksworth, I can tell you you're the day after the fair!
1882 P. Fitzgerald Recreat. Lit. Man I. iii. 89 It has been exceedingly well done by Buckland.., and would be the day after the fair.
1931 T. Fukurai Clairvoyance & Thoughtogr. ii. 122 It was the day after the fair, so to speak. We couldn't overtake the intruder.
2011 M. V. J. Veenman in R. E. Mayer & P. A. Alexander Handbk. Res. Learning & Instr. x. 213 To learners receiving metacognitive instruction this feedback loop comes a day after the fair.
P2. colloquial. (all) the fun of the fair: (all of) the entertainment, excitement, etc., available; (also) everything altogether, the whole lot.
ΚΠ
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxiv. 250 You're half the fun of the fair, in the Court of Chancery.
1899 R. Whiteing No. 5 John St. xi. 104 The balance..must serve for everything—washing, food, odds and ends, household and personal. ‘The fun of the fair.’
1911 ‘Q’ Brother Copas xxiii. 279 The American woman, as everybody knows, has all the fun of the fair.
1940 ‘N. Blake’ Malice in Wonderland i. ii. 25 £3 10.0. inclusive of everything—all the fun of the fair, as you might say.
2001 Model Engineer 186 122/2 No-one used to worry either, about sparks thrown out from our little engines, even if they..singed a bit of skin; it was all part of ‘the fun of the fair.’
Compounds
C1. General attributive and other compounds.
fair booth n.
ΚΠ
1617 S. Collins Epphata to F. T. i. i. 77 You patch, and pelt, and clowt euery thing into euery place that you can, like a beggers coate, or a Sturbridge-faire booth.]
1747 J. Godfrey Treat. Useful Sci. Def. 63 They fought in one of the Fair-Booths at Tottenham Court.
1862 H. Marryat One Year in Sweden II. 385 On the village-green stand moss-grown fair-booths.
1996 T. Fleming in B. Schissel & L. Mahood Social Control in Canada xiv. 323 A large group of youths ran through the fairgrounds, pushing people over and ‘ripping off’ prizes from the fair booths.
fair day n.
ΚΠ
1450 in W. S. Cooper Charters Royal Burgh Ayr (1883) 28 Nouthir on the merkate day na yit nane uthir day of the wolk..sauffand anerly on the fare day.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 431 He..tooke the towne of Peples on their fayre day.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 122 The Prince of Princes..went through this Town..upon a Fair-day . View more context for this quotation
1771 J. Wesley Jrnl. 18 June (1837) 354 It being the fair-day.
1876 C. L. Mateaux Through Picture Land 58 Now, Peggy, it is fair-day, so be sure and do not go out, there's a good girl.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. 63 We did great biz yesterday. Fair day and all the beef to the heels were in.
2005 Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 14 Jan. t8 Elsewhere in Evandale on Fair Day you can admire gleaming vintage cars, buy locally made crafts, eat and drink at dozens of food stalls.
fairgoer n.
ΚΠ
1828 Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 116/2 She looks frequently but hastily across the front garden of the cottage, at every tread of the passing fair-goers.
1966 Times 28 Feb. (Canada Suppl.) p. x/3 A determined fair-goer could travel through Ontario, Quebec..and find a fair every day.
2001 Daily News (N.Y.) (Nexis) 22 June 2 Fairgoers can choose from more than 100 rides, games and attractions.
fair-going adj.
ΚΠ
1802 R. Bloomfield Rural Tales 5 Friendly nods and smiles..from many a kind Fair-going face.
1914 Amer. Blacksmith Nov. 39/2 The fair-going public absolutely refused to fill the big stand to see two or three horses gallop in dashes.
2011 San Diego Mag. May 73 Restauranteurs and salespeople at fancy boutiques..prefer the racing clique to the fair-going hordes.
fair-place n.
ΚΠ
1659 R. Kilburne Topogr. Kent 365 This liberty..claimeth,..part of the Churchyard, the Faire place, and what else is not in the liberty of the late Deane of Canterbury in Challock.
1795 Sporting Mag. 5 39 A battle was fought in the fair-place.
1832 W. Hone Year Bk. 589/1 As I drew near the fair-place, I commingled with a stream of people, all tending to the same point.
1907 J. Scholefield Encycl. Local Govt. Law IV. 467 The owner of a market or fair has, as a rule, a right of enlarging the market or fair place.
2005 D. Dickson Old World Colony i. 22 A remarkable cluster of competing fair-places emerging between Cork Harbour and the lower Blackwater.
fairstead n.
ΚΠ
1539 in D. Yaxley Researcher's Gloss. Hist. Documents E. Anglia (2003) 92 Ye grate owt of ye chirch yard into ye feyer stead, both ston work, yerne & ty'byr xxvs.
1626 Aldeburgh Rec. in Notes & Queries (1921) 12th Ser. 8 344/1 To Thomas Cooke for posts and rayles for the fairestead and his work..00 05 00.
1789 W. Marshall Rural Econ. Glocestershire I. 110 The streets are so narrow, and the fair-stead so confined, that the value of stock cannot be estimated with sufficient accuracy.
1847 Jrnl. Brit. Archaeol. Assoc. 2 92 The chapel of St. Mary's..stood on the fairstead, to which chapel and fair the mayor and corporation rode in procession.
1904 T. Ellwood Anderson's Cumberland Ballads & Songs 47 To challenge the village or town or fair stead to produce a champion to fight the ‘Shakker’.
1985 D. Dymond Norfolk Landscape xii. 153 Harleston grew up in the early thirteenth century as a fairstead and later market.
fair time n.
ΚΠ
1450 in Sections Assembly Bk. A Shrewsbury Guild Hall 34 (MED) Power to attach & take suche cloth at all tymes, except only the feyretymes, within the ton & franchices aforeseyd.
1573 in R. Renwick Extracts Rec. Royal Burgh of Lanark (1893) 71 On the fair tyme [a custom of] ane plak of ilk pak or laid.
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. ii. 150 We are full of Hurry, in Fair time . View more context for this quotation
1791 J. Bree Cursory Sketch 348 Certain military men, appointing a tournament here at the fair time, came to it in the disguise of monks and cannons.
1852 Notes & Queries 17 Apr. 371/2 Certain houses where beer, &c. was sold at fair-time only had boughs outside to indicate their character.
1920 J. H. Greenwood Our Heritage from Old World ix. 347 Festivities of many kinds were arranged to take place at fair time.
2004 A. Ferrell Have you Heard 234 At fair time he'd gone there to see a man on a horse jump from a high platform into a tank of water.
fair town n.
ΚΠ
1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall ii. f. 122 Camelford, a market and Fayre (but not faire) towne.
1797 Encycl. Brit. X. 278/2 Longford..is a borough, post, market, and fair town.
1914 Jrnl. Polit. Econ. 22 567 Transfers of money were not confined to fair-towns or to fair-periods.
2011 A. E. Lester Creating Cistercian Nuns ii. 57 The women who first converted to a penitential life..came from those classes most closely immersed in the urban world of Champagne's bustling fair towns.
C2.
fair keeper n. now chiefly historical (a) an officer whose job is to keep order a fair; (b) a stallholder at a fair.
ΚΠ
1700 P. B. Help to Magistrates (title page) The office and duty of toll-keepers and fair-keepers.
1708 London Gaz. No. 4398/3 The Fair-keepers resorting to the Two Fairs held in..Bristol.
1828 Mirror of Lit. 27 Sept. 194/1 The shopkeepers..being able to get from London and the manufacturing districts, every article direct, at a small expense, the fair-keepers find no market for their goods.
1847 Statutes U.K. 18 522 (margin) Penalty for obstructing market or fair keeper.
1931 Middletown (N.Y.) Times Herald 15 Aug. 9/5 The Fair-Keepers are feverishly engaged in taking down their booths.
2005 V. G. Spear Leadership In Medieval Eng. Nunneries iv. 63 While the administration of such courts may not have been remunerative in itself, there were important spin-offs for the fair keeper.
Derivatives
fairwards adv. towards or in the direction of a fair.
ΚΠ
1851 Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Daily Sentinel & Gaz. 4 Oct. Visitors began to flock in about 10, and from that hour till 3 P. M. there was quite a steady rush Fair-wards.
1926 W. J. Locke Stories Near & Far 298 The gradual traffic going fair-wards passed him by.
2006 V. Porter Yesterday's Countryside iv. 82 The crowds who tramped fairwards in cheerful anticipation of selling a wife, buying a bonnet, seeing a bearded lady.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
fairadj.n.1
/fɛː/, U.S. /fɛ(ə)r/α. Old English fæger, Old English fægger (rare), Old English fægir (rare), Old English fægorost (superlative, probably transmission error), Old English fægyr (rare), Old English fæiger (rare), Old English færestan (superlative, weak declension, dative, perhaps transmission error), Old English færigestan (superlative, weak declension, genitive, probably transmission error), Old English fager (rare), Old English feger, Old English fęger (rare), late Old English feager, early Middle English fæȝer, early Middle English fæier, early Middle English fæiȝer, early Middle English fæir, early Middle English faȝer, early Middle English faȝȝerr ( Ormulum), early Middle English fehere (comparative), early Middle English feherest (superlative), early Middle English feiȝer, Middle English faiger, Middle English fairre (comparative), Middle English fareste (superlative), Middle English farrer (comparative), Middle English fayir, Middle English fayire, Middle English feȝre, Middle English feher, Middle English feire, Middle English feirhare (comparative), Middle English fer, Middle English ffayer, Middle English ffayr, Middle English ffayre, Middle English ffeyre, Middle English–1500s feier, Middle English–1500s feir, Middle English–1500s fere, Middle English–1500s feyer, Middle English–1500s feyr, Middle English–1600s faier, Middle English–1600s faire, Middle English–1600s fare, Middle English–1600s fayer, Middle English–1600s fayr, Middle English–1600s fayre, Middle English–1600s feyre, Middle English– fair, 1800s far (U.S. regional), 1900s– fa'r (U.S. regional); English regional 1800s feear (Cornwall), 1800s– faer (Westmorland), 1800s– far (Oxfordshire), 1800s– fare (northern); also Scottish pre-1700 far, pre-1700 fear, pre-1700 ffair; N.E.D. (1894) also records a form early Middle English faiȝer.
β. southern early Middle English uæȝer (south-west midlands), early Middle English uæir (south-west midlands), early Middle English ueȝer (south-west midlands), early Middle English ueieȝer (south-west midlands), early Middle English ueir (south-west midlands), Middle English uair, Middle English uayr, Middle English uayre, Middle English vair, Middle English vayr, Middle English veir (south-west midlands), Middle English veyre (south-west midlands), 1500s vaire, 1800s vare (Devon), 1800s– vaair (Berkshire).
A. adj.
I. Beautiful, agreeable.† 5. Of amount or extent: great, considerable, generous; (of wealth, an acquisition, etc.) large in size or amount. Cf. handsome adj. 5. Obsolete (in later use passing into sense A. 15b).† 6. Excellent, admirable; good, desirable; noble, honourable; reputable. Obsolete.fair riddance: see riddance n. 1b.
1. Beautiful to the eye; of attractive appearance; good-looking. Cf. foul adj. 7a. Now somewhat archaic and literary.† d. Of an animal. Now Obsolete.
a. Of a person, or a person's face, figure, etc. Also in figurative contexts.In later use chiefly with reference to a woman.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adjective]
smickerc725
faireOE
lieflyOE
sheenOE
wenlichc1000
wlitic1000
lovesomec1175
lustya1240
flourisheda1375
lovelya1400
weenc1400
beauteous1435
beautifulc1443
finec1450
pulchriousa1500
speciousa1513
shanda1525
speciosea1525
pulchrousc1540
bonny1580
beauty1598
lovelike1621
killing1634
florid1642
beautied1830
stunning1849
fairsome1862
pulchritudinous1877
beaut1894
loverly1907
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adjective] > specifically of persons
faireOE
sheenOE
brightOE
(the) sheenc1275
belc1314
pertc1330
quaintc1330
gaya1350
beau1399
formose14..
clearc1420
beautiful1509
venust1513
venereal1598
rare-beautied?1614
venerial1661
seraphic1765
nymphish1789
hyacinthine1847
bloomful1890
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective]
faireOE
comelyOE
winlyOE
goodlyOE
hendya1250
hendc1275
quaintc1300
seemlyc1305
tidya1325
avenant1340
honestc1384
sightya1387
properc1390
well beseena1393
queema1400
speciousa1400
featousc1400
parisantc1400
rekenc1400
well-favoureda1438
wellc1450
spectable?a1475
delicatec1480
jollya1500
bonny?a1513
snog1513
viewlyc1536
goodlikec1550
sightly1555
sightful1565
beholdinga1586
eyesome?1587
decent1600
vage1604
prospicuous1605
eyely1614
fashionable1630
well-looking1638
softa1643
fineish1647
well-looked1660
of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700
likely-looked1709
sonsy1720
smiling1725
aspectable1731
smirkya1758
likely-looking1771
respectable1776
magnificent-looking1790
producible1792
presentable1800
good-looking1804
nice-looking1807
bonnyish1855
spick1882
eyeable1887
aegyo2007
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons
faireOE
seemlya1225
featous1340
jolly?a1366
tretis?a1366
comelya1375
covenablea1375
well-beseenc1374
favourablea1398
farrandc1400
personable?1435
well-favoureda1438
covenantc1440
likelyc1450
trety?c1450
tret1488
decore?a1513
jimp?a1513
wally?a1513
smotter?1520
snout-fair1530
well-looking1613
comely-looking1648
personal1658
comely-looked1664
winsome1677
tidy1714
good-looking1715
well to be seen1809
eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iii. xii. 194 Wæs he Oswine se cyning ge on onsyne fæger [L. aspectu venustus] ge on bodie heah ge wynsum on gespræce.
eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) (2009) I. xviii. 457 Ðeah nu hwa sie [swa] fæger swa swa Alcibiadis se æþelincg wæs.
OE Genesis B 457 Oððæt he Adam..gearone funde..and his wif somed, freo fægroste.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 6392 Þatt an wass swiþe faȝȝerr wif.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1939 He wes wis he wes fæir.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2659 So faiger he was on to sen.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xviii. 200 Ȝif þe chin is proporcionat to þe forehed, it makeþ faire..al þe face.
c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 613 Sche was fayr as is the Rose in may.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 601 (MED) Þe fax on his faire hede was ferly to schawe.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxvjv In this trobleous season..was ye quene deliuered at Westmynster of a fayre sonne.
1553 tr. Erasmus Epist. Perswade Young Ientleman Mariage in T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique i. f. 22 A ientlewoman of a good house, and muche wealthe, fayre of bodie.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. i. 45 That faire and warlike forme. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 324 The fairest of her Daughters Eve. View more context for this quotation
1713 J. Smith Poems upon Several Occasions 48 The Ropes of Pearl those meaner Beauties wear, Proclaim them rather Rich, than Fair.
?1795 H. Macneill Scotland's Scaith 8 Thousands had mair braws and siller, But ware ony half sae fair?
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 76 Of stature fair.
1833 A. E. Bray Let. 8 Jan. in Descr. Part Devonshire (1836) II. xxx. 287 Monday's child is fair in face.
1872 R. B. Vaughan Life & Labours S. Thomas of Aquin II. x. 888 One of the fairest figures of moral beauty.
1919 E. R. Burroughs Warlord of Mars xv. 275 It seemed incredible that one so lovely could yet harbor within her fair bosom a heart so cruel and relentless.
1989 Telegram & Gaz. (Worcester, Mass.) 28 Nov. d1 Most of the women were indeed beautiful, some stunningly fair of face and figure.
2009 D. Thompson Lord of Forest ii. 17 How fair she was, seen by fire glow, flushed from the chase.
b. Of an inanimate thing.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf (2008) 773 Þa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele wiðhæfde heaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol, fæger foldbold.
c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine Old Eng. Homilies (1993) 201 Þeah..we mid þam feȝereste ȝymstanes all uten embihangene beon,..þeah cymeð þe bitter deaþ and todæleþ all þæt.
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 185 Ðar haueð elch patriarche..and uirgines maked faier bode inne to wunien.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 25 He..bið al swa is an eppel iheoweð, he bið wið-uten feire and frakel wið-innen.
c1300 St. Edward Elder (Laud) 42 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 48 For a day he wente on hontethþ..In a fayr wode in deorsete.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2467 A..fair cuntre þe flom ran þourȝe feire to se.
1495 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VII (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1495 §56. m. 31 Divers tenementes and feier places bilded ther.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Niiv He bryng forthe euery yere feyre floures.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. lxxxvii The fayre toune of Compaigne.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) Induct. i. 44 Carrie him..to my fairest Chamber. View more context for this quotation
1658 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 324 He hath already a fayre and large pew in the church.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 123 The same Wicker-work, but much fairer.
1799 W. Wordsworth She Dwelt in Wks. (1888) 115/1 A violet..Fair as a star, when only one Is shining in the sky.
1842 R. H. Barham Ingoldsby Penance! in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 100 The Ingoldsby lands are broad and fair.
1882 ‘Ouida’ Bimbi 50 The very finest and fairest Meissen china.
1918 F. P. Rand Garlingtown 18 Shine on, fair star, but my lone way Leads to the glamor of the day.
2002 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) 13 Mar. 14/5 I have been working continuously on the roads of your fair city for some nine months now.
c. Of appearance, colour, personal qualities or attributes, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > purity > [adjective] > specifically of conduct, qualities, etc.
fairOE
unblendedc1340
unspotted1455
unviolated1555
uncorrupted1571
unattainted1597
uninfected1628
unvitiateda1637
unsullied1659
unabused1661
unadulterate1664
candid1667
unwarped1744
unspecked1781
unblenched1813
unsunned1843
unattaint1850
unsubverted1872
unsmutched1879
unshadowed1891
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) i. 180 Hi ealle wurdon awende of ðam fægeran [a1225 Vesp. A. xxii feȝre] hiwe þe hi on gescapene wæron to laðlicum deoflum.
OE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Corpus Cambr.) iii. xii. 196 Geaf he & sealde þæt betste hors & þæs fægerestan hiwes [eOE Tanner þæs fægerestan eondes; L. equum optimum] Aidane þam bysceope.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Bodl.) l. 34 Hire..feire & freoliche ȝuheðe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 4225 Þi godenes & þi feire hew.
1532 Romaunt Rose in Wks. G. Chaucer f. cxlvii/1 As fayre semblaunt than shewed he me..as aforne dyd he.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judith xvi. 7 Iudith..with hir fayre bewtye hath discomfited him.
1563 J. Shute First Groundes Archit. sig. Diiiv Uppon the third part of the height of Scapus, ye shall make the half compas, through the which ye may finde a faire diminishing.
1602 E. Hayes in J. Brereton Briefe Relation Discouerie Virginia 16 The Saluages weare faire colours in some of their attire.
1692 R. Bourne Contented Cuckold ii. 10 My aim and whole desire is, your fair Beauty.
1752 S. Jenyns Poems 165 Two columns of the same fair hue Support the dome below.
1867 M. E. Braddon R. Godwin I. i. 1 The Captain and his wife were both in the fairest prime of middle age.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay vii. 106 A sweet gravity about her..as charming in her white-haired age as in her fair youth!
1907 J. W. Gilbert-Smith Cradle of Hapsburgs vi. 65 A spot where Dame Nature in her own fair beauty sets an example of innate charm.
1987 P. Woolley Child Northern Spring v. 53 Beauty in itself is not an indication of good, for many poisonous things have a fair appearance.
ΚΠ
OE Phoenix 85 Ðone wudu weardaþ wundrum fæger fugel feþrum strong, se is fenix haten.
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Gen. (Claud.) xli. 2 Him þuhte þæt he gesawe gan up of þam flode seofon fægre oxan [L. boves pulchrae] & swiþe fætte, & hi man læsude on morigum lande.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 49 Riche men..habbeð..feire hors.
a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) 534 Panter is an wilde der, Is non fairere on werlde her.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Jer. xlvi. 20 The she calf fair and shapli Egipt.
1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. aviv This is a fayr hawke.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judges v. 10 Ye that ride upon fayre Asses.
1576 A. Fleming tr. J. L. Vives in Panoplie Epist. 401 A sea Gull among a sort of faire swannes.
1611 A. Munday Briefe Chron. 402 A Bayliffe of South Holland, who hadde taken a goodly faire Cowe from him.
1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 25 A partridge plump, full-fed, and fair.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. xi. 206 The fair Hind should shrink from the Place, touched with Somewhat, either of Fear or Frolic. View more context for this quotation
1820 W. Scott Abbot I. i. 12 The fairest herd in the Halidome.
1862 F. F. Broderip Chrysal iii. ii. 76 I never saw anything so beautiful as the soft yellow plumes on your wings! they seem like the breast or pinion of a fair bird!
1920 E. P. Stebbing Diary Sportsman Naturalist in India xvii. 214 I have..witnessed fights of no mean order between the claimants to the favours of some fair hind.
e. Used in forms of courteous, respectful, or affectionate address. Cf. good adj. 4c. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [adjective]
goodeOE
liefc897
sweeta1225
beauc1300
gentlec1330
comelya1375
faira1375
reverentc1410
reverend1422
virtuous?1473
singular1485
lucky1568
respectable1749
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 4596 Faire fader, bi mi feiþ folili ȝe wrouȝten.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. lxxxxiiv/1 Ha faire sires he was but late byheedyd.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 15 Feyre sone, for youre sake shall I suffir the deth.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 205 Ye be welcome fayre sister, with my fayre Nephew your sonne.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 310 Faire sir, God saue you. View more context for this quotation
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada ii. v. 144 My fate Comes on too soon, and I repent too late. Fair Queen, forgive.
1785 T. Dwight Conquest of Canäan v. 116 For know, fair Prince! in Truth's unbiass'd state, The proud are little, and the lowly great.
1820 W. Scott Abbot I. xi. 229 ‘So much for your lineage, fair sir,’ replied his companion.
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xix. 232 Even so, fair my lord.
1919 B. Babcock Soul of Abe Lincoln i. iii. 19 How many times shall we make the round of the driveway, my fair lady?
2004 D. Marcellas Twilight Rising, Serpent's Dream v. 124 You're being remarkably patient with my prattling, fair lord, man of action that you are.
f. Applied to a woman or to women collectively, as expressing a quality considered as characteristic of the female sex. In earlier use frequently in fair one.the fair sex, the fairer sex: see sex n.1 Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > woman > [adjective]
femalea1382
womanisha1393
faira1450
women's-kinsc1450
feminatea1533
womankind?c1570
womenkind1571
sex1700
mollyish1801
petticoated1824
femme1925
a1450 York Plays (1885) 489 If we fynde ouȝte þat faire one in fere nowe.
1599 J. Minsheu Pleasant Dialogues Spanish & Eng. 5 in R. Percyvall & J. Minsheu Spanish Gram. What from our faire neighbour?.. Yea Sir... Well..they are from a clenly woman.
1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. III. 92 I..can by no meanes approve the ambition of your fayre neighbour.
1692 R. Ames Sylvia's Complaint 10 To the obliging Fair One, tho' unknown, Each takes his over-flowing Brimmer down.
1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 172 The confessing Lover..ascribes all to the Bounty of the Fair one.
1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 48 A Note..which my fair Correspondent had taken Opportunity of leaving.
1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne v. 155 My fair readers must excuse me.
1825 A. Cunningham Wet Sheet & Flowing Sea (song) 10 O for a soft and gentle wind! I heard a fair one cry.
1878 J. H. Beadle Western Wilds xxix. 451 The fairer section of our party are startled at the crowds of men in the streets.
1947 Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pa.) 5 Mar. 8/5 The new spring hats for the fairer part of the population.
2009 Townsville Bull. (Austral.) (Nexis) 11 Apr. 69 Away to Poseur's Bar for Easter drinkies, shared perchance with a fair companion.
g. Of an abstract quality personified.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > specifically of personified abstractions
fair1593
1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 183 I am the simplest Artist, that euer looked fayre Rhetorique, or sweet Poetry in the face.
1645 J. Marsh Marsh his Mickle Monument 41 Fair Charity hath eyes, and can discern.
1695 J. Shute Virtue & Sci. vii. 16 Fair Science, thy Bright Eye her Looking-Glass she makes.
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 24 There stript, fair Rhet'ric languish'd on the ground.
1765 O. Goldsmith Traveller (ed. 2) 19 Fair freedom, taught..to feel The rabble's rage.
1859 J. Petrie Love Lyrics 49 Fair Hope expands her feeblest wing and lifts her faintest eye.
1921 J. C. Miller Veils of Samite 147 That young, shining company who came To keep alive Fair Freedom's sacred Flame.
2009 S. Shapcott All Moonshine lxxviii. 268 Aye those were the times when fair fortune smiled upon us, mor'n most folks.
2. Of a sound, smell, etc.: pleasant, agreeable; delightful. Cf. foul adj. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > [adjective] > pleasing to the senses
lithec888
fairOE
softOE
lickerousc1275
deliciousa1325
kindlya1382
favourablea1398
kinda1398
sugared1426
feelsomea1450
agreeablec1450
comfortablec1460
favourousc1485
grateful1553
sugar candy1575
lickerish1595
savouring1595
maumy1728
tasty1796
lekker1900
OE Phoenix 8 Wlitig is se wong eall, wynnum geblissad mid þam fægrestum foldan stencum.
OE Exodus 567 Æfter þam wordum werod wæs on salum, sungon sigebyman, (segnas stodon), on fægerne sweg.
OE Homily: Be rihtan Cristendome (Hatton 113) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 148 And ða earan aslawiað, þa þe ær wæron ful swifte and hræde to gehyrenne fægere dreamas and sangas.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xxiii. 213 A faire voys..plesiþ nouȝt onliche men.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 46 (MED) A fayr reflayr ȝet fro hit flot.
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 833 Of euery speche, of euery soun Be hyt eyther foule or faire.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer ii. sig. M.iiii Pricksong is a faire musicke, so it bee done vpon the booke surely and after a good sorte.
1645 J. Milton At Solemn Musick in Poems 23 Disproportion'd sin Jarr'd against natures chime, and with harsh din Broke the fair musick.
1798 Monthly Mag. Dec. 431/2 Sweet voices, and fair sounds, should accompany all rime.
1813 J. H. Price Miscellany 32 I've seen the lilly of the vale With sweetest, fairest fragrance bloom.
1885 J. M. Buckley Oats or Wild Oats? xi. 71 I can advise no young man who has not a fair voice to think of being a teacher of elocution.
1914 S. R. Crockett Silver Sand xii. 89 The fair sounds of the choiring birds.
2010 D. Farland Chaosbound xx. 231 Only the fairer scents of roasting meat and new-baked bread made the place bearable.
3. Of language, speech, etc.: polished, elegant; eloquent, well expressed. Cf. foul adj. 16. archaic and rare after 18th cent.In quot. OE2 used of a commentary or interpretation.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [adjective]
fairOE
facundc1381
rhetorian?c1400
facundious1430
rhetoricalc1450
elegantc1475
rhetorial1521
concinnate1548
humane1552
concinne1569
Attic1633
compt1633
concinnated1868
stylish1892
Atticistic1919
OE Homily (Bodl. 340) (Dict. Old Eng. transcript) Þa com he Crist togeanes þam wifum grette heo þa sona fægrum wordum, and him cwæð to, Hauete, wesað hale.
OE Ælfric Homily (Cambr. Ii.4.6) in J. C. Pope Homilies of Ælfric (1967) I. 359 We habbað nu gesæd sceortlice on Englisc þis halige godspell.., þa nacedan word ana; ac we nu wyllað mid fægerum [c1175 Bod. 343 fæȝerum] andgite hi gefrætewian eow.
a1382 Prefatory Epist. St. Jerome in Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) i. l. 24 To tyte lyuy wellyng with þe mylk welle of fayre speche, we han Iredd sum noble men to han Icommen.
?a1400 N. Bozon Contes Moralisés (Harl. 1288) (1889) 208 (MED) Hurre fayre speche ys turnyd into grucchyng.
c1475 Antichrist & Disciples in J. H. Todd Three Treat. J. Wycklyffe (1851) p. cxli (MED) If hise [sc. Antichrist's] clerkis cunne speke fayre latyne.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) ix. l. 12 To tret a mater in fayr dyte.
1606 J. Marston Parasitaster (rev. ed.) ii. sig. D3 How weake a creature Soft woman is to beate the seidge and strength, Of so preuailing feature, and faire language, As that of his is euer.
1691 A. Gavin Frauds Romish Monks v. 251 The Noble Venetian having heard this fair Speech, told them, He was glad to see the great Zeal they had for the Soul of his Kinswoman.
1744 C. Harrison Impartial Hist. Queen Anne 58 I shall give my Opinion on that Head in very fair Words, and very fair Language.
1878 Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours 23 31/2 ‘Well, what say you, Annetje?’ cried her father; ‘will you thank this youth for his fair speech?’
2007 M. Howell Clan Daughter 65 You have a fair tongue, so I'll give you something better than food.
4. Esp. of speech or words: ostensibly pleasant or attractive, but intended to deceive or to conceal an ulterior motive; specious; insincere, flattering.Sometimes only contextually distinguishable from sense A. 3.fair semblant, showing: see the second element.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective]
fairOE
seeming1340
feignedc1374
colourablea1400
whitea1413
coloured?c1425
satiablec1487
provable1588
specious1611
well-seeminga1616
superficial1616
meretricious1633
glosseda1640
probable1639
spurious1646
fucatious1654
ostensible1762
well-looking1811
semblant1840
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective] > of words or manners
fairOE
honeyed1435
glozed1509
fair-tongued1541
fine1568
smoothed1568
smoothinga1592
sugary1591
slicked1594
rose water1598
rose-watered1599
candied1604
soft1609
courtlya1616
smooth-faced1626
oileda1640
blandished1671
sugar1687
fair-spoken1704
smooth-tongued1761
silky1778
pill-gilded1822
blarneyfied1830
greasy1848
blarneyed1861
soothering1866
soothing-syrupy1902
OE Genesis A (1931) 899 Me nædre beswac and me neodlice to forsceape scyhte,..fah wyrm þurh fægir word.
OE Ælfric tr. Basil Admonitio ad Filium Spiritualem 46 Se fakenfulla fægere word sprecð oft and on his modes digolnysse macað syrwunga.
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 11 (MED) Ic habbe beswiken min emcristen mid faire wordes.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. ii. l. 23 Fauuel with feir speche haþ brouȝt hem to-gedere.
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 173 He mote be war þat faire biheste, ne veyn glorie, ne coueitise ne bigile him not.
a1500 Warkworth's Chron. (1839) 7 By fayre speche..the Kynge scaped oute of the Bisshoppys handes.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 127 By hys dyssymulatyon & fare wordys.
1611 Bible (King James) Gal. vi. 12 Many..desire to make a faire shew in the flesh. View more context for this quotation
1655 H. More Antidote against Atheism (ed. 2) iii. ix. 217 A fair tale was made to the Pastor of the Parish.
1695 W. Congreve Love for Love iv. i. 65 After all your fair speeches..and Kissing and Hugging.
1736 R. Warren Answer Plain Acct. Sacrament 13 More Words must be used, to gloss over the Reasoning, and give it a fair Appearance.
1763 G. G. Beekman Let. 26 Oct. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 449 He has dayly made Application but has not Received anything yet but fair promises.
1836 Irish Preacher ii. 39 They have no disguises, no fair outward appearance to conceal the mischief that lurks in their hearts.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 604 The Sophists have plenty of brave words and fair devices.
1921 Freeman 28 Sept. 64/2 The liberals..who will probably be misled again by anyone who makes them fair promises.
2007 Austin (Texas) Amer.-Statesman (Nexis) 22 Oct. a8 Those with the darkest, most sinister plans always cloak their efforts in fair words.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > considerable in amount or degree
goodeOE
fairOE
goodlyc1275
largea1375
no littlea1413
substantial1413
unleast?1440
prettya1475
reasonablea1500
substantious1545
substantive1575
sensible1581
pretty and ——1596
goody1597
greatish1611
considerable1651
sonsy1721
respectable1736
smart1750
quite a little ——1763
gey1796
smartish1799
canny1805
serious1810
right smart1825
dunnamuch1831
snug1833
tidy1839
bonnyish1855
largish1872
a nice little ——1891
significant1898
healthy1901
beaucoup1917
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) xviii. 308 We nu gehyraþ..hu haliglice þes eadiga wer, sanctus Martinus, his lif for Gode lifde..& hu fægerum edleanum he þæs æt urum dryhtne onfeng.
OE Menologium 152 Hæfde nergend þa fægere fostorlean fæmnan forgolden ece to ealdre.
a1250 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 7 (MED) Þu schalt me a-ueir dol of heoueriche blisse.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 4354 In ech compaynye Vif þousend & vif hundred..& þat was vair [?a1425 Digby a faire] seignorie.
a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) xvii. 151 A c.s. off ffee or rente, wich is a feyre lyuynge ffor a yoman.
1529 T. More Dyaloge Dyuers Maters iv. v. f. ciiiiv/1 Than hath som man had a slepe of a fayre length.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 991/1 Thither came to hym his brethren..wyth a faire number of men of warre, speares, & archers.
1641 R. Carpenter Experience, Hist., & Divinitie iv. xii. 172 Our imagination..performeth a faire deale more in the Table, then the Painter.
1654 E. Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 88 A faire fortune is come to our countryman Sir Chi. Wrey.
1713 J. Adamson Two Serm. i. 12 There seems evident Profit to be in that [sc. cheating], for many a Man has raised a fair Estate out of that.
1771 C. Macklin Let. 26 May in J. T. Kirkman Mem. Life C. Macklin (1799) II. 40 Men..Who, if they had not been influenced by that over-weening ignorance, might have died with fair fortunes and unblemished characters.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 112 Scotland, since her sovereigns had succeeded to a fairer inheritance, had been independent only in name.
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany xviii. 289 Giles, to whom a fair heritage was no less agreeable than a fair wife.
1906 N. Gould Sporting Squatter xv. 143 ‘I should call that a fair win,’ replied Pat, pointing to a roll of notes in his hand.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [adjective]
faireOE
goodlyOE
selec1275
honourablec1384
just1509
ingenuous1610
squarea1644
even down1654
white1837
sportsmanlike1899
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adjective]
faireOE
wortheOE
worthlyeOE
worthfulOE
menskful?c1225
toldc1275
digne1297
of price?a1300
worshiply1340
worthya1350
menska1375
thriftyc1374
worshipfula1375
worthilya1375
honesta1382
honourablec1384
unshamedc1384
sada1387
of reputationc1390
well-nameda1393
reverent1398
worthy (worshipful, wise) in wanea1400
celebrable?c1400
honouredc1400
worshipablec1425
substantialc1449
undefameda1450
unreviled?1457
honorousa1500
reputed?1532
well-thought-ona1533
well-spoken1539
credible1543
undespised?1548
imitable1550
famous1555
undistained1565
undefame1578
untarred1579
well-reputed1583
unsoiledc1592
dishonourless1595
well-deemed1595
nameworthy1598
regardful1600
indisgraced1606
credenta1616
undishonoureda1616
unscandalized1618
unscandalous1618
unslandered1622
untainted1627
dignousa1636
undisparaged1636
considerable1641
unbranded1641
glorifiable1651
reputable1671
unsullied1743
unstigmatized1778
undisgraced1812
unstained1863
well-thought-of1865
uncompromised1882
scandal-proof1904
cred1987
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [adjective] > desirable
yearninglyOE
desiderablea1340
desirablea1382
desirefulc1384
dainteousc1386
fairc1410
desirous1430
expetible1569
lustful?1610
appetible1622
desiderate1640
honeysuckle1660
deligible1680
wantable1886
eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iv. ii. 258 Ne wæron her æfre, seoþðan Ongolcyn Breotone gesohte, gesæligran tide ne fægeran.
OE Phoenix 357 Þæt ne wat ænig monna cynnes, butan meotod ana, hu þa wisan sind wundorlice, fæger fyrngesceap, ymb þæs fugles gebyrd.
OE Christ & Satan 545 Fæger wæs þæt ongin þæt freodrihten geþrowode, þeoden ure.
c1225 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Bodl.) (1940) l. 258 (MED) Hwet bid..hare fare so feier biuoren alle þe oþre?
a1300 (?c1175) Poema Morale (McClean) l. 49 in Anglia (1907) 30 228 (MED) Al þat faireste [other MSS beste] þat man haueþ to gode, he hit scolde sende.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 500 (MED) Þer was miracle fair and god!
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 167 (MED) He of frensche þis fayre tale ferst dede translate.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. l. 28 To be called a kniȝte is faire..To be called a Kynge is fairer.
c1400 J. Wyclif On the Seven Deadly Sins (Bodl. 647) in Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 144 Ffeyre hit is to have a son þat were lord of þis worlde.
1405 in J. Slater Early Scots Texts (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Edinb.) (1952) No. 59 It hade bene fayrar for him to haffe sende me that querell in to wyrt.
c1410 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Harl. 7334) (1885) l. 212 He hadde I-made many a fair mariage.
1476 B. Burgh tr. Cato's Distichs (Caxton) i. It is ful faire to be called liberal But ay eschewe wast and be not surfetour.
c1480 (a1400) St. James Great l. 62 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 99 At hym-self had sene hym do myraculis fare.
a1500 (?a1425) tr. Secreta Secret. (Lamb.) 88 (MED) Oure ffader Hermogenes, þat ys full fayr in Philosophie and wel faire Philosophiant.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. cli. f. clxviv/2 They sayde to the duke of Berrey, that this lady shulde be a fayre maryage for..his sonne.
a1598 D. Fergusson Sc. Prov. (1641) sig. B4 Freedome is a faire thing.
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) 4517 Far farar is ane thousand fald to de Or leif with thame in sic meseritie.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iv. vii. 134 His two sons who slew him, got exile..too fair a reward for so foul a Patricide.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iv. 235 The Other, Sr Philip Stapleton, was a proper man, of a fair extraction.
1820 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Oct. 36 His children..Await, like him, the soldier's fair reward, Or wealth, or honoured death.
II. Favourable; benign; unobstructed.
7.
a.
(a) Of the weather: pleasant, clement; not wet or windy. Sometimes more strongly: bright, sunny. Cf. foul adj. 9a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [adjective]
fairOE
merry1214
clearc1384
well-disposed1477
fine1595
blue-sky1852
OE Phoenix 182 Ðonne wind ligeð, weder bið fæger, hluttor heofones gim halig scineð.
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) x. 211 Swa læne is sio oferlufu eorðan gestreona, emne hit bið gelice rena scurum, þonne he of heofenum swiðost dreoseð & eft hraðe eal toglideð—bið fæger weder & beorht sunne.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3786 Heo hæfden swiðe fair weder.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. viii. xxi. 499 [The stars] makeþ now tempest and now faire wedir.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 1077 His seruands on a day fayre Bare him with oute to take þe ayre.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. iii. 15 Thy synnes also shall melt awaye, like as the yse in ye fayre warme wether.
1597 in M. Wood & R. K. Hannay Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1927) V. 200 Upon Trinity Fair evin, gif it be ane fair day, and failyeing thairof the nixt fair wedders.
1611 Bible (King James) Matt. xvi. 2 It will be faire weather: for the skie is red. View more context for this quotation
1671 R. Bohun Disc. Wind 122 At Surat, Malabar..and that coast of India, is the fair season till March.
1713 G. Berkeley in Guardian 7 May 2/2 Fair Weather is the Joy of my Soul.
1781 W. Cowper Anti-Thelypthora 71 October..mild and fair as May.
1811 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 408 Fog followed by fair day.., and rain came on in the night.
1867 ‘Ouida’ Cecil Castlemaine's Gage 6 The morning was fair and cloudless.
1909 D. G. Hogarth Accidents Antiquary's Life (1910) viii. 171 The morning broke fair, if not fine.
1952 Boys' Life Mar. 45/3 Will tomorrow be fair weather or foul?
2001 C. Erickson Alexandra xviii. 165 The weather was exceptionally fair in that September of 1905, the Baltic blue and smooth.
(b) In figurative contexts, denoting favourable circumstances.Recorded earliest in to make fair weather at weather n. 2b. Cf. fair-weather adj. 3.
ΚΠ
c1425 (c1400) Laud Troy-bk. l. 8289 At here comyng thei made fair wedur And spak of many thynges to-gedur.
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. xxiii. f. 187v She studied nothing else but how to loue and obey him... But this faire weather lasted not long.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 157 Frendship maketh indeed a faire Day in the Affections, from Storme and Tempests.
1759 B. Porteus Death 14 If too far He launches forth beyond discretion's mark, Sudden the tempest scowls, the surges roar, Blot his fair day.
1866 A. Crump Pract. Treat. Banking ix. 217 For fair weather the Act of 1844 works.
1955 J. M. Cabot Toward our Common Amer. Destiny xvi. 195 He must never forget to have his rubbers and his raincoat handy even when the diplomatic forecast is ‘fair’.
2001 Time 3 Dec. 66/1 Are more mergers a sign of fair weather ahead?
b. Originally Nautical (later also Aeronautics). Of the wind, etc.: favourable to the course of a ship, aircraft, etc. Also figurative and in figurative contexts; see also Phrases 2f(a). to come fair: (of the wind) to become favourable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [adjective] > favourable (of wind)
fairlOE
likinga1387
menablea1393
goodc1425
merrya1571
furthering1599
foreright1605
following1839
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > [adjective] > types of wind for sailing
fairlOE
contraryc1384
favourablec1460
prosperous1555
scant1600
crossa1617
baffling1778
adverse1807
following1839
lOE St. Nicholas (Corpus Cambr.) (1997) 93 Ealswa þæt scipferde wæs eal gegaderod, þa ferdon hio forð on þa sæ & hæfde swiðe god weder & fægre sæ on to færenne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 24945 Þair wind to will gode and fair þai fand.
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 1967 Of faire wyndes and eke of tempestes.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) iii. vii. 22 This fair wynd blawing evyn befor.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. ii. 123 The winde sits faire for newes to go for Ireland. View more context for this quotation
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 386 So soon as the wind came fair aboard away we went.
1750 G. G. Beekman Let. 29 Oct. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 128 Which unlucky accident happened near new haven by the master the Vessell borrowing too near the Shore with fair wind.
1783 Public Advertiser 20 Nov. An Air Balloon, which they purpose dispatching to Bengal the first fair Wind.
1820 Trial C. C. Delano 44 The wind came fair, and by the help of some Greeks the William got under weigh.
1844 Rover 24 July 348 If the native Americans are..determined to carry out the great measures of reform which they have proposed, they must go straight ahead... The harbor is before them, and they have a fair wind.
1892 Engineer 6 Aug. 28/2 Is there more resistance when a ship is going against the tide than when she is going with a fair tide?
1938 Life 18 July 62/2 Their sails filling with a fair southerly breeze, 43 sailing yachts..crossed the starting line.
1965 E. Pearson Lure Sailing v. 144 If the current is ‘fair’, that is, running in the same direction as you wish to sail, it will merely increase your speed.
1996 Guardian 8 Oct. 22/2 With a fair wind, flying time from London to New York is eight hours.
2000 Evening Tel. (Coventry) (Electronic ed.) 20 Dec. I believe we have a fair wind from the government on this legislation.
2010 B. Pester Just Sea & Sky iv. 60 With the prospect of a permanently fair wind we were aware of a decidedly feel-good factor.
c. Designating full or broad daylight. Now archaic and poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > [noun] > daylight > at noon or broad daylight
faira1450
fuir-days1535
noonlight1598
noonshine1624
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xiv. l. 70 (MED) Thus dured Seraphe Al that day Til it was past fer noon [Fr. bien noune].
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 40 Whom he arecheth shall neuer after see fayr daye.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxx. 610 (MED) It was than feire day.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cclxv. 392 It was faire day or he coude get into the right waye.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 308 It was yet scarce faire daie, when..the armies..began againe the battaile.
1698 J. Kirkwood Plea before Kirk ii. 30 But at last he awakes with no little astonishment, seeing both Candle and fair daylight.
1780 T. Simes Treat. Mil. Sci. 282 If it be in fair day-light, you must escalade it several places at the same time, make sham attacks.
1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table iii. 55 We get beautiful effects from wit,—all the prismatic colors,—but never the object as it is in fair daylight.
1859 R. B. Stratton Captivity of Oatman Girls (ed. 3) iii. 147 Just before fair day, we moved slowly round the place where we had seen the object.
1907 L. M. Eilshemius Fragm. & Flashes of Thought 247 My dreamy eyes would lead Me..To fulgent Aetna, glorious in fair day!
2006 ‘C. J. Cherryh’ Fortress of Ice (2007) 367 They pressed hard.., determined to..make time so that they could cross by fair daylight tomorrow.
8. Expressing or expressive of gentleness or peaceable intention; kind, mild; (of actions or means) accomplished or employed without violence or violent intent; peaceful; cf. foul adj. 18. Also of death: easy, natural. Now chiefly historical, except in fair means n. at Compounds 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective]
mildeOE
blitheOE
goodOE
well-willingOE
beina1200
goodfulc1275
blithefula1300
faira1300
benignc1320
gainc1330
sweetc1330
kinda1333
propicec1350
well-willeda1382
well-disposeda1393
well-hearteda1393
well-willinga1393
friendsomea1400
well-willya1400
charitablec1405
well-willed1417
good-heartedc1425
kindlyc1425
honeyed1435
propitious1440
affectuousc1441
willya1449
homelyc1450
benevolous1470
benigned1470
benevolent1482
favourousc1485
well-meaned1488
well-meaning1498
humanec1500
favourablec1503
affectionatea1516
well-mindedc1522
beneficial1526
propiciant1531
benignate1533
well-intendeda1535
beneficious1535
kind-hearted1535
well-given1535
affectioned1539
well-wishing1548
figgy?1549
good-meaning1549
affectedc1553
affectionated1561
well-natured1561
well-affected?1563
officious1565
well-inclined1569
good-natured1582
partial1587
graceful?1593
well-intentioned1598
beneficent1616
candid1633
kindlike1637
benefic1641
kindly-hearted1762
well-meant1765
benignanta1782
sweet-hearted1850
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [adjective] > of actions or language
mildOE
lithefullc1275
mildlyc1275
faira1300
unmalicious1605
the world > life > death > manner of death > [adjective] > natural death
naturala1522
fair1682
a1300 Passion our Lord l. 91 in R. Morris Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 40 He byheold abute myd swiþe veyre chere.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 57 Þe cherl..foded it [sc. a child] wiþ floures & wiþ faire by-hest.
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 45 (MED) He wolde fare wiþ his folk in a faire wise To biholden here hom and non harm wirke.
a1510 G. Douglas King Hart 314 Sum farar way ȝe micht ȝour harmes wreik.
1610 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 2) 1161 With a faire countenance, and a majestie full of mildnesse..hee..sought to appease them.
1682 E. Hickeringill 2nd Pt. Hist. Whiggism 32 The Lord Treasurer Weston dyed of his fair death, flying beyond Sea.
1704 J. Logan in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 292 I have used both fair and foul words.
1798 A. Musgrave Solemn Injunction IV. iii. 28 Did you hear..whether he hanged himself or cut his throat? for I am sure he has not died a fair death.
1851 Hogg's Instructor 6 34/1 Whether by fair ways or foul, it [sc. the rabble] had come effectually into notice.
1896 Southwestern Reporter 32 1108/2 But when fair persuasion is exhausted they have no right to resort to force or threats of violence.
1910 Chambers's Cycl. Eng. Lit. (new ed.) I. 19/2 Cuthbert..gives an account of his [sc. St Bede's] fair death in his cell among his books.
2001 P. Whisson Shakespeare's Stories Eng. Middle Ages v. 189 The means to peace is reason and fair persuasion, not fear or threats.
9.
a. Free from obstacles; unobstructed, unimpeded; open, clear. Also figurative. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adjective] > open and unobstructed
openeOE
freec1230
faira1325
unstopped1398
clear1569
expedite1581
unpestered1588
accessible1602
accessive1611
rid1866
society > travel > [adjective] > travelled on, over, or through > able to be > easily
eathOE
faira1325
easy1340
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3244 On twel[ue] doles delt ist ðe se, xii. weiges ðer-in ben faiger and fre.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xi. ii. 572 Weyes þat beþ imade..foule wiþ grete reynes beþ imade clene and fayire by blowynge of wynde.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xii The way is lyke to be fayre & dry.
1590 Disc. Victorie French King sig. A4 The Artillerie..was shot with such furie amongst the Reisters,..that he made at euery shot a faire breach.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 12 Left faire to interpretation eyther way.
1670 J. Narborough Jrnl. in Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) 79 Keep the South-shore in fair view.
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 75 They made a fair retreat. View more context for this quotation
1712 W. Rogers Cruising Voy. 49 Go out on the other side..which I think is the fairest Outlet.
1768 J. Byron Narr. Patagonia 10 The sea making a fair breach over her.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague iii. iv. 151 Keep back..so that each man may have A fair view of the pit.
1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 12 The fairest though farthest way about is the nearest way home.
1915 Virginia Appeals: Decisions Supreme Court 10 667 When he reached the middle of the street, he had a perfectly fair view all the way to Virginia Bay station.
2004 J. Morgan Passion (2006) 530 William was riding ahead to make sure the road was fair.
b. Open to view, plainly visible; clear, distinct. Now rare (chiefly regional in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adjective] > clearly visible
senec1175
well seenc1175
naked?c1225
well isenec1275
bremec1340
evidenta1382
apparent1393
palpable?1435
open1478
pointablea1555
faira1568
full-eyed1581
unmasked1590
eyeful?1611
plain1613
prospecta1640
unovercloudeda1658
intuitive1801
unmystified1822
shroudless1841
unforeshortened1846
trenchant1849
focusable1889
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) i. f. 14 There be manie faire examples..But they be, like faire markes in the feild, out of a mans reach.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 157v The white..are alwayes the fayrest marke in a Hawke, or a Bussardes eye.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island v. viii. 48 Fair on the face [God] wrote the Index of the minde.
1672 N. Grew Anat. Veg. ii. 41 Although in all places of the Root they are visible, yet most fair and open about the Fibrous Extremities of some Roots.
1753 J. Warburton Vallum Romanum ii. xiv. 98 The ramparts and ditches are very fair and visible.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess ii. 39 All her thoughts..fair within her eyes.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (at cited word) Lincoln Minster's fair to see fra Barton field.
1909 A. B. Warner Susan Warner ix. 105 All this comes vividly back.., distinct and fair.
1965 Dict. Queen's Eng. 14 The money was lying on the floor as fair as your hand.
10. Offering the prospect of success or good fortune; promising, boding well; (of an omen, etc.) propitious. Cf. to be in a fair way to (do something) at Phrases 1e(a).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adjective]
fairc1325
likely1548
sperable1565
hoped1581
propitious1581
promising1594
hopeful1599
auspiciousa1616
flattering1633
promissory1732
sperate1808
likely-looking1827
favourable1828
promiseful1855
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adjective] > of circumstances: propitious
trine1477
towardly1520
bright1592
ominous1593
dexter1646
rosy1685
dextral1774
fairc1820
toward1850
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 9842 Manion þer was aslawe so þat þis uair cas Þe king it þonkede..sein tomas.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) xvii. 837 To se quheyer fayr [1487 St. John's Cambr. farar] war him till To ly about ye toun all still.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 19v Now fraist we be fore how fairest wilbe.
?1550 H. Llwyd tr. Pope John XXI Treasury of Healthe (1585) 8 Ther is no better..nor no fayrer cure.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. i. 10 A Stand where you may make the fairest shoote. View more context for this quotation
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 113 They..let slip that so faire an opportunitie.
1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. v. ix. 386 I presently looked for the jugular veins..opened the fairest, and took away..a dozen ounces of blood.
a1797 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. (rev. ed.) in Wks. (1812) V. 626 The crown, to which he had such fair pretensions.
c1820 P. B. Shelley tr. Homer To Castor & Pollux 20 Fair omen of the voyage.
1898 H. M. Stanley Africa 10 British East Africa has a fair future.
1918 C. Raymond Myst. Hartley House xvii. 105 I ought not to have been so disconsolate. These were fair portents.
1991 S. Winchester Pacific (1992) 332 Only by dint of crossing at the narrowest point..could the customers be offered a fair prospect of the plane getting over in one leap.
III. Free from blemish, imperfection, or fault; just, proper, equitable; reasonable.† 13. In accordance with propriety; appropriate, fitting; seemly, becoming. Obsolete.
11. † c. Of fruit, vegetables, etc.: free from disease, decay, or blemishes; unspoiled. Obsolete.In quot. a1400: (of a person's flesh) not infected or diseased.
a. Of water: clean, pure; (of another liquid) clear, not cloudy. Formerly also of colour: †bright, pure, not dull or muddy (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > [adjective]
fairOE
unfiledc1200
purec1300
undefouled13..
unfouledc1380
fresha1393
finec1440
filthless1532
taintless1590
virgin1596
untainted1609
indevirginate?1624
unpolluted1771
germless1869
Diana1870
sterile1877
aseptic1883
pristine1910
the world > matter > liquid > water > [adjective] > properties or characteristics of water > pure or clear
livingeOE
fairOE
purec1300
cleara1400
skirea1400
crystalc1425
lucent1820
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [adjective] > pure or clear
purec1300
freshc1405
fair1663
serene1751
OE tr. Alexander's Let. to Aristotle (1995) §39. 250 Of ðæm neahmunte wealleð hluter wæter & fæger & þæt swiðe swete.
OE Paris Psalter (1932) lxxi. 6 He þonne astigeð, swa se stranga ren fealleð on flys her, and swa fæger dropa [L. sicut stillicidia] þe on þas eorðan upon dreopað.
OE Prognostics (Tiber.) (2007) 297 Gif him þince, þæt he fæger wæter geseo, oððe oferfare, þæt byþ orsorhnyss. Gif him þince, þæt he drof wæter geseo, ne deah þæt.
1381 Diuersa Servicia in C. B. Hieatt & S. Butler Curye on Inglysch (1985) 106 A panne wyth fayr water.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 20212 Ho..wasshed hir bodi in faire water.
c1450 in T. Austin Two 15th-cent. Cookery-bks. (1888) 91 Bray hem small in a morter with faire water.
1522 E. Betts Let. in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 228 And then take it fro the ffyre And strayne it And Soo ye shall haue a fayre Syruppe of hit.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 121 Most Bullockes..desire a fayre cleare water.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 108 As red as the fairest Vermilion.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. 65 Gun-powder of a faire Azure..colour is very good.
1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies II. xxxvi. 43 A Dish of Rice boiled in fair Water.
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iii. §17. 102 The colours of beautiful bodies must not be dusky or muddy, but clean and fair.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary III. vii. 152 A glass of fair water.
1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table i. 3 The rinsings..spoil a draught of fair water.
1916 Mediterranean Pilot I. viii. 426 Fresh provisions can be obtained in abundance, and fair water from a hose on the quay.
2005 M. Lovric Remdy (2006) v. 264 Every surface glinted with mysterious bottles, some filled with swarthy tar-drippings, others with fair water.
b. Free from dirt or stains; clean, fresh; cf. foul adj. 4a. Also of paper: unused, blank. Now rare (archaic in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > [adjective]
cleanc897
fair?c1225
netc1330
cleanly1340
unspotted1382
blotless?a1400
unwemmeda1400
spotlessc1400
neat1494
unblotted1548
unstained1555
stainlessa1586
exempt1586
unsoiledc1592
undefiled1596
unsullied1598
dirtlessa1618
immaculatea1631
innocent1645
unsmeared1648
unsmutched1809
speckless1827
spandy-clean1838
unblackened1864
soilless1868
smudgeless1924
clinical1932
squeaky clean1975
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > pure or flawless
lutter971
unwemmedc1000
fair?c1225
upright?c1225
purec1300
without lackc1300
completec1380
defaultlessa1425
flush?1550
undefective1599
impeccable1620
indefectivea1641
defectless1651
virginala1659
flawless1659
unflawed1665
indefectuous1685
unblighted1785
immaculate1791
indefectible1833
shadeless1894
flukeless1895
intacta1941
pedicured1988
society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [adjective] > blank paper, not written upon
white1466
void1551
blanka1555
empty1579
fair1606
uninked1637
clean1704
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 93 Moni ancre. þe habbeð ham [sc. hands] to feire. as þeo þet beoð a idled.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1849 A cherl fro cheping-ward com, & bar bred in a bagge and fair bouf wel sode.
c1450 in T. Austin Two 15th-cent. Cookery-bks. (1888) 82 Put þe pork on a faire spitte.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 39 Put hit in cofyns þat bene fayre.
a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 119 He knelit down on his kne quhiddere the gait was faire or foule.
1552 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16279) Administr. Lordes Supper sig. M.vi A fayre white lynnen clothe.
1606 H. Peacham Art of Drawing iii. 9 Let him make or buy him a fayre paper book for the nonce, to begin to practise in.
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall 280 I took a fair Glass Siphon.
1703 M. Martin Descr. W. Islands Scotl. 278 They [sc. bones] were fair and dry.
1737 J. Wesley Jrnl. 24 Mar. (1739) 38 A Paper-Book, all the Leaves whereof were fair, except one.
1800 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 90 529 The vanes are covered with a piece of fair white paper.
a1896 W. Morris Water of Wondrous Isles (1897) vi. xxiv. 490 Take this raiment, which is fair and clean, and go wash thee in the brook.
1968 M. Bishop Horizon Bk. Middle Ages viii. 280 Before him is a fair sheet of paper or parchment; at hand an inkhorn.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > state of being undecayed > [adjective]
fresheOE
soundc1290
uncorruptc1384
incorrupt1387
faira1400
recent?a1425
inconsumed1530
uncorruptedc1540
good1558
incorruptedc1593
square1628
undecayed1632
uncorroded1685
untarnished1732
unspoiled1733
unfailed1749
unwasted1758
firm1776
unspoilt1796
undegenerate1854
undeteriorated1856
unvitiated1864
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > free from other specific imperfections
unblotted1548
unbraideda1616
uneclipsed1649
undisfigured1720
fair1854
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 93 (MED) Þe fleisch is maad fairer þan it was tofore.
c1450 in T. Austin Two 15th-cent. Cookery-bks. (1888) 83 Take faire rawe parcelly.
1584 A. Barlowe in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) iii. 731 Their Countrey corne, which is very white, faire, and well tasted.
1669 J. Worlidge Systema Agriculturæ 145 The fairest may be kept for Seed as before of Carrots.
1671 R. Head & F. Kirkman Eng. Rogue IV. xi. sig. O6v [Street cry.] Fair Oranges,—Fine Lemmons.
c1770 H. Glasse Compl. Confectioner 6 Take the fairest and firmest pippins.
1854 J. N. Smith Way of World x. 163 You describe her faithfully; but remember that many a fair apple hath a diseased heart.
1912 A. L. Quaintance & E. L. Jenne Plum Curculio 158 Hogs render fruits of all kinds fair and unblemished, by destroying the curculio.
d. Of a line, curve, or surface: free from roughness or irregularities; smooth, even.See also fair curve n. at Compounds 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [adjective]
smeethc725
unroughOE
plaina1398
balghc1440
smoothc1440
glat1481
fair1486
handsmooth1530
terse1602
smooth-faced1647
sleekyc1725
smack-smooth1755
knotless1792
gleg1808
textureless1846
glabrous1860
unsculptured1891
1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. dijv Take a tame Malarde and set hym in a fayr playn.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 42v The floore must be fayre and smoothe made.
1679 Earl of Castlemaine Eng. Globe v. i. 74 On each of the former Marks or Letters in the said blind Circle successively, draw but a fair line to the designed Limb or Border.
1721 J. Perry Acct. Stopping Daggenham Breach 54 I design to..drive the said Piles..and continue them on by a fair Line until they meet and shut up with the last Pile.
1888 Scribner's Mag. Apr. 424/2 Fair surfaces have fallen into neglect nowadays, our present fancy being for..wrinkled or blotchy surfaces.
1939 Pop. Mech. Apr. 607/1 It probably will be necessary to do a little planing along the top of the sheer in order to level everything off to a fair line.
2003 D. Danenberg How to Restore your Wooden Runabout xiii. 202/2 The next tool to apply is a long-board... This is the tool the automotive industry uses to achieve fair surfaces.
e. Of handwriting: neat, clear, legible. Occasionally also of printed or typed material. Cf. fair copy n., foul adj. 10b.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > handwriting or style of > [adjective] > skilled, neat and legible
fair1548
clerkly1808
society > communication > writing > written text > [adjective] > of copy or writing, fair or free of corrections
fair1548
cleana1889
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ccxxjv Thomas Laurence of Cantorbury..wrote a greate boke of thesaied false & feined miracles, and reuelacions of thesaid Elizabeth in a faire hand.
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. D.ijv Written in faire hande, and easie for to reede.
1627 R. Ashley tr. ‘A. Abencufian’ Almansor xii. 71 His Epitaphs written in them in the greater Arabicke verses, with a very faire Character.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xiii. 355 This Letter was written in a very fair hand.
1714 Boston News-let. 26 July 2/2 There is Imprinted in Folio upon Fine Paper and a Fair Character, a New Impression of Their Majesties Royal Charter.
1784 New & Gen. Biogr. Dict. (new ed.) II. 60 He was a most famous master in the art of penmanship, or fair writing.
1829 Trans. Royal Asiatic Soc. 2 188 Let him appoint, as scribe, one..whose hand-writing is fair.
1893 Athenæum 3 June 698/1 I wanted to read them once again, with the advantage of fair type and ample margin.
1914 Jrnl. Proc. & Addr. 52nd Ann. Meeting National Educ. Assoc. (U.S.) 417 Class A could write interesting original stories two pages in length in fair penmanship.
2008 G. Brooks People of Bk. 102 The second [document] was a letter, in very fair handwriting.
12. Of a person's character, conduct, reputation, etc.: free from moral imperfections; exemplary, unblemished. Now rare and somewhat archaic except as implied in sense A. 14a(a).
ΚΠ
OE Blickling Homilies 9 Eala hwæt þær wæs fæger eaðmodnes gemeted on þære a clænan fæmnan.
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1881) I. 186 Heo wearð þa gefullod swa swa hire fæder wæs, and hadunga underfeng mid fægere drohtnunga.
OE Wulfstan II of Worcester in B. Thorpe Diplomatarium Anglicum Ævi Saxonici (1865) 445 Aldred bisceop ærest gesette Wulstan bisceop to ciricwearde þære ciricean on Wihgeraceastre, for his clænnysse & fægrum þeawum.
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 85 Manie..swo ledden here lif þat te biginninge was fair, and te middel fairere, and te ende alre fairest.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 137 Ðet is æuric mon þe ledeð feir lif and clene.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 14 Ailrik was..a duke of faire fame.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. lxxxiijv/1 He [sc. St Andrew] was fayr in his lyf, answeryng in wysedom, & in doctryne.
a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) v. l. 933 Off his brothyr the fayr fame, Wes delete all halyly.
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 47 A quiet, serene, and fair Conscience.
a1704 T. Brown Dialogue Oxf. Schollars in Wks. (1707) I. i. 7 The poor painful Priest standing fair in the Opinion of the Neighbourhood.
1734 Earl of Oxford in Swift's Lett. (1768) IV. 64 This person..had the fairest and most unexceptionable character.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iii. i. 47 My fair fame.
1868 E. M. Goulburn Thoughts Personal Relig. (new ed.) ii. v. 76 We must do in regard of ourselves what we may never do in regard of others,—suspect that an unsound motive may underlie a fair conduct.
1914 Pacific Reporter 141 937/2 The testimony of the father..tended to corroborate the statements of the mother as to the fair character possessed by the girl.
1994 R. Mayer in tr. Horace Epistles: Bk. 1 38 In returning to the free citizen of fair repute Horace again sounds the note of unanimity..that was established at the outset.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > fitting or proper
methelyeOE
ylikeeOE
fairOE
i-meteOE
rightOE
becomelyc1175
proper?c1225
featc1325
conablea1340
rightful1340
worthyc1350
pursuanda1375
covenable1382
dignec1385
convenablec1386
thriftyc1386
sittingc1390
comenablea1400
gainlya1400
meeta1400
wortha1400
convenientc1400
meetlya1425
suinga1425
fitc1440
tallc1440
worthyc1450
good1477
dueful?a1527
beseeminga1530
fitting1535
straighta1538
decent1539
answerable1542
becoming1565
condecent1575
becomed1599
respective1605
befittinga1612
comely1617
decorous1664
shape-like1672
beseemly1737
farrantly?1748
fitly1840
in order1850
OE Cynewulf Elene 910 Nu cwom elþeodig.., hafað mec bereafod rihta gehwylces, feohgestreona. Nis ðæt fæger sið.
OE Genesis A (1931) 2449 Þær him se æðela geaf, gleawferhð hæle, giestliðnysse fægre on flette.
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 423 Hit nere no fair wedding Bitwexe a þral & a king.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xxix. 225 Þey [sc. the fyngres] hauen among hamself a verrey nombre and a wel fair ordre [L. numerum perfectum et ordinem decentissimum].
a1425 (c1300) Assumption of Virgin (BL Add.) (1901) l. 312 It is faire and hit is ryȝt That þi moder come to þee.
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. l. 2624 (MED) Withynne my court, it were a thyng nat fayr, That ye sholde a-bide or haue repair.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) ii. l. 996 Qwhen til his gestis he mad gud chere, And welcummyt þaim on fayr maner.
a1586 in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. 362 That fre ansserit with fair afeir.
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) 21514 Ressauyng thame..With fair calling and homelie cheresing.
1618 Declar. Demeanor Sir W. Raleigh 41 His Maiestie..sending downe Sir L. Stucley..to bring Sir Walter Raleigh in faire manner, and as his health would giue leaue, by easie iourneyes to London.
14.
a.
(a) Of conduct, actions, methods, arguments, etc.: free from bias, fraud, or injustice; equitable; legitimate, valid, sound.no fair: see no adv.1 1e.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [adjective] > fair or equitable
evenOE
skillwisea1300
leal1352
faira1387
mensurablea1398
equal1535
squarea1616
candid1643
equable1643
equitable1646
conscionable1647
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 255 Þe faireste acountes of all seiþ [etc.].
c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 2548 As In that poynt al thow it be nat fayr Thow folwist hym certayn & art his ayr.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Merlin (1904) I. l. 7449 (MED) A fayrere eleccioun neuere there was.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 786 Were that feyer, To make an erlles sone myn Eyer?
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 200 For how art thou a King But by faire sequence and succession? View more context for this quotation
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 95 The fat Calfe. Whereby, in a faire parabolicall interpretation, is meant..Christ himselfe.
1685 T. Creech tr. Plutarch Symposiacks ii, in M. Morgan et al. tr. Plutarch Morals III. viii. 338 There is a fair discretion of good and bad, every one having what is fit for him..according as he is vertuous or vicious.
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man i. iii. 278 Words which have the fairest Right to each Class.
1789 A. Harper Treat. Real Cause & Cure Insanity 43 The adduction of so many fair arguments and weighty facts, in support of the conclusions which they establish.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 567 The king..would fall by fair fighting and not by murder.
1870 F. M. Müller Sci. Relig. (1873) 150 It is but fair..to state.
1885 Law Times 28 Mar. 388/2 A fair account should be given.
1921 ‘E. M. Delafield’ Humbug i. 5 She always says she doesn't want to go! It's not fair!
1954 Brit. Jrnl. Med. Hypnotism 5 iii. 23/1 Therefore other methods, for instance, hypnosis, or autogenic training..were not given a fair hearing.
1970 Pacific Affairs 43 63 What the Japanese considered to be fair and honorable peace overtures toward China.
2006 Independent on Sunday 8 Jan. 34/5 Better public services, a renewed attack on poverty, [and] a fairer distribution of the tax burden..are objectives of the ‘social liberals’.
(b) Of a person: characterized by equitable or lawful conduct; honest, just; reasonable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > [adjective] > exercising reason
reasonablec1400
rational1598
fair1603
sober1638
intelligencing1658
unperverse1665
open1672
wise-like1816
sane1843
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 900 Eunosta..who being faire and just withall, was also chast, continent and of an austere life.
1680 T. Otway Orphan iii. 24 The fair Hunter's cheated of his Prey.
1693 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §140 The open, fair, wise Man has every Body to make way for him, and goes directly to his Business.
a1767 W. Farington Serm. Important Subj. (1769) ix. 224 Let him be honest and fair in his dealings.
1778 Pennsylvania Packet 15 Apr. Ordering all his banditti.., contrary to..the invariable practice of all fair boxers, to bang and bruise..a vanquished man after he is down.
1849 J. Ward Perils, Pastimes & Pleasures Emigrant in Austral. ii. 83 A fair, round dealing man, such as abound in the city of London.
1854 H. Rogers Ess. II. i. 10 The fairest of all controversial antagonists.
1913 17th Ann. Rep. State Bar Assoc. Indiana 55 The judge must,..if he be fair and honest, decide many cases against his friends.
1969 R. Godden In this House of Brede v. 126 Though Dame Agnes was sharp and prejudiced, she was fair.
2001 Dreamwatch Mar. 48/2 He's a fair man, but he's also military, so his ship and crew come first.
b. Of conditions, circumstances, etc.: providing an equal chance of success to all; not unduly favourable or adverse to anyone. Cf. a fair field (and no favour).In early use chiefly of a battlefield, and sometimes still with allusion to this, esp. in a fair field (and no favour).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [adjective] > fair or equitable > of conditions or situations
faira1470
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 48 I owghe the Emperour no trewage..but on a fayre fylde I shall yelde hym my trwage, that shall be with a sherpe spere.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 39 Romulus discomfyte thame jn fair felde with bataill.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. v. sig. D6v A very good Orator might haue a fayre field to vse eloquence in, if [etc.].
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. i. 67 Ile cut your throat at one time or an other in faire termes.
1703 P. Motteux et al. tr. M. de Cervantes Hist. Don Quixote IV. lxiv. 650 Begin your Career as soon as you will, and expect to be met with..A fair Field and no Favour.
1711 J. Puckle Club 22 Supposing both box and dice fair, gamesters have the peep, eclipse, thumbing.
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) i. 46 I was now on a fair Footing with them.
1845 G. P. R. James Arrah Neil I. vii. 143 That would not matter if the ground were fair.
1849 Punch 6 261/2 Let every candidate for public patronage have at least a fair field and no favour.
1876 R. B. Elliott Let. 9 Oct. in W. Allen Governor Chamberlain's Admin. S. Carolina (1898) xxiii. 393 To secure joint discussions in which both parties shall meet upon fair and equal terms.
1921 S. Desmond Labour (1922) ix. 93 The chairmen of these congresses..were scrupulous in giving opposition speakers a fair field.
1932 F. B. Austin Red Flag 318 It's fair for all. The women do just the same.
1952 F. P. Graham Faith & Hope of Amer. 5 All people have hope of building together a nobler America in a freer and fairer world.
1974 F. L.McCurdy in H. Barrett Rhetoric People ii. 131 A people who ringed around two opponents to insure a fair fight placed a high value on fairness in other matters.
2006 Yorks. Post (Nexis) 21 Aug. The two films..are both about young people who have not been given a fair start in life.
c. Of remuneration, reward, or recompense: that adequately reflects the work done, service rendered, or injury received. Also of punishment: commensurate with the crime, injury, etc., in question.
ΚΠ
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. xv. f. 109 Was not thys a faire rewarde for the loue, the trauailes and sorrowes susteined for this ingrate and villainous man, by that royal ladie, to saue his life, and to take him to husband?
1640 T. Nabbes Unfortunate Mother iv. sig. F3v The memory Of her dishonour will be quickly lost In a faire recompence.
1673 E. Stillingfleet 2nd Disc. Vindic. Protestant Grounds of Faith iii. 525 A pair of strait shoos might have been fair punishment at first for calling him Cobler.
1717 (title) Fair Payment no Spunge: or, some Considerations on the Unreasonableness of Refusing to Receive back Money Lent on Publick Securities.
1757 Herald 17 Nov. 60 Why men who write, deal,..or vote for the Government, should not be held as fully rewarded with the fair pay of their offices, [etc.].
1839 T. Attwood in Parl. Deb. 3rd Ser. 224/2 They only sought a fair day's wages for a fair day's work.
1894 S. Webb & B. Webb Hist. Trade Unionism 386 A hundred and fifty local authorities have..adopted some kind of ‘Fair Wages’ resolution.
1908 Pharmaceut. Jrnl. 22 Feb. 235/1 A fair sentence would be a fine of £20, or one month's imprisonment.
1953 Rotarian Nov. 37/2 Distributors are as much entitled to a fair reward for their services as are those who produce.
1997 R. F. Baumeister Evil v. 159 If it were possible to calculate precisely how much retaliatory suffering would be fair recompense for humiliating someone.
2006 Independent 6 July (Extra section) 8/1 Co-operatives with ‘worker-positive’ conditions of fair pay, employment rights, health benefits.
d. That may be legitimately aimed at or pursued; that is considered a reasonable target for criticism, attack, etc.In early use frequently with overtones of sense A. 9b. See also fair game n. at Compounds 1b.
ΚΠ
a1595 R. Southwell Humble Supplication (1600) 43 The crowne also beeing lefte without anie declared owner, a faire goale for them that runne first at it.
1612 J. Floyd Ouerthrow Protestants Pulpit-Babels i. i. 79 He placeth this vncircumcised blasphemy: I belieue the Pope to be Antichrist..: a faire marke for the sling of Dauid to ayme at..as some Catholikes haue done.
1671 Christian Consol. ii. 14 Heaven then is the express and fair object of Hope.
1745 London Mag. July 335/2 Their Characters in private Life are fair Marks of Inquiry.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. ii. 18 That Erasmus was a subject of Corinth..is rendered a fair subject of presumption.
1839 London & Paris Observer 18 Aug. 520/3 Notwithstanding this generous confidence in our humanity, we used to consider them [sc. whales] as fair targets for practice.
1863 W. P. Lennox 50 Years' Biogr. Reminisc. II. 7 The latter quality..rendering him a fair subject for a hoax.
1935 E. L. Masters Vachel Lindsay vii. 132 He was..quite a fair mark for his mother's criticism that he was too much addicted to speculations.
2008 Daily Tel. 2 Jan. 4/5 Individual Kikuyus..are considered fair targets by gangs of Luos, Kalenjins and Kisiis.
e. Sport and Games. Allowed by the rules; made or done according to the rules; permissible, legitimate; spec. not incurring a penalty, the loss of a point, etc. Cf. foul adj. 19a.See also fair ball n. at Compounds 1b, fair strike at strike n.1 12b(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of play, actions, or postures > [adjective] > fair play
fair1655
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vi. iii. 311 That is a fair ball in the Tennis-Court, which toucheth the line, yet goeth over it.
1854 Godey's Lady's Bk. Nov. 438/2 Jane played skilfully, and conquered you with fair moves.
1896 R. G. Knowles & M. Morton Baseball 23 If the ball falls exactly on the foul line, it is a fair hit, unless it rolls into foul territory.
1917 E. Hermann Outl. Physical Educ. 82 At least one forward and one back must have been involved if the serve is to be considered a ‘fair serve’.
1945 Manch. Guardian 12 Nov. 3/3 A heavy fall, when in full flight, from a perfectly fair tackle.
1996 S. Perry Star Wars: Shadows Empire (1997) 55 Well, I'm sorry, but it was a fair move. It's not my fault you didn't see it.
15.
a. Free from serious fault or objection; of acceptable but not excellent quality; moderate, reasonable, satisfactory.See also fair-to-middling at Phrases 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective]
wellOE
sufferablea1340
worthy1340
sufficient1489
paregala1500
competent1535
something like?1556
right1567
sweet1577
fairish1611
all right1652
fair1656
comfortable1658
decent1711
respectable1750
unrepulsive1787
decentisha1814
fair-to-middling1822
fine1828
christena1838
OK1839
tidy1844
not (or none) so dusty?1856
sweet1898
oke1928
okey-doke1934
okey-dokey1936
tickety-boo1939
cool1951
aight1993
1656 in tr. T. White Peripateticall Inst. Transl. Addr. sig. a2 Her Interpreter..should speak all languages; at least to that fair degree of currentnesse, as [etc.].
1696 W. Nicolson Eng. Hist. Libr. I. vi. 220 Mr. Habbington has given us a fair a Draught as the Thing would bear: At least, he has Copy'd this King's Picture as agreeably as could be expected from one standing at so great a Distance from the Original.
1766 Ann. Reg. 1765 214/2 This is a fair attempt. But he prevaricates on the very onset.
1825 Eclectic Rev. May 449 A desirable thing, which might have been satisfactorily executed by a fair scholar and competent writer.
1870 J. Lubbock Origin of Civilisation (ed. 2) ii. 25 Very fair drawings of animals.
1875 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (ed. 2) x. v. 388 A person in fair health.
1911 Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. 22 79 In spite of the..spasticity of the left arm, he could spontaneously lift it above his head,..and give a fair grasp.
1965 Science 21 May 1078/3 Most of them do have a fair idea of what they are doing.
2006 C. Day Cadogan Guide Ireland 445/2 Staff make a fair attempt at real coffee.
b. Of amount or degree: adequate; reasonably large or great.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > moderateness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > fairly good (of quantity or extent)
goodish1775
fair1832
1832 E. Cardwell Lect. Coinage Greeks & Romans iv. 81 Certain general criteria, from which any given coin might be assigned, with a fair degree of probability, to its proper period of time.
1888 R. Kipling in Pioneer Mail 29 July 148/2 A fair number of old soldiers.
1934 A. Huxley Beyond Mexique Bay 46 I have seen a fair amount of Central American art.
1992 P. McCabe Butcher Boy (1993) 106 There was a fair crowd at the match Sunday.
2000 Guardian 19 Aug. (Weekend Suppl.) 22/2 It's a safe bet that a fair proportion of any urban area hit by winds such as these would be reduced to rubble.
c. in a grading or rating system: acceptable but not excellent; of a reasonable standard; passable, satisfactory.Frequently in educational contexts.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > educational administration > examination > [adjective] > mark
fair1850
magna cum laude1856
summa cum laude1896
starred1912
upper1982
1850 Minutes Comm. Council Educ. 1848–50 II. 682 in Parl. Papers XLIV. 1 There are only 2 papers which rank above fair, viz., 1 excellent and 1 good.
1861 V. Lushington in Working Men's College Mag. 1 Oct. 149 Power to refuse the required certificate of school-attendance, unless the school is ‘fair’ for the purpose intended.
1889 in Executive Doc. House of Representatives (1890) 468 The horses marked as ‘fair’ may last another year.
1916 Jrnl. Electr. Workers & Operators July 832 The discharged teachers' records are marked fair, good, excellent and superior.
1943 Bull. National Res. Council (U.S.) No. 109. 2 Diets rated as fair contained less than 50 percent above the estimated minimum requirements.
1997 J. Robins Quest of Love i. 12 She looked again at the disappointing report. ‘Only “fair” for arithmetic?’
16. colloquial (frequently Australian and New Zealand). Unquestionable, absolute; complete, utter. Frequently as an intensifier. Cf. right adj. 13e.fair cow: see Compounds 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute
shirea1225
purec1300
properc1380
plainc1395
cleana1400
fine?a1400
entirec1400
veryc1400
starka1425
utterc1430
utterlyc1440
merec1443
absolute1531
outright1532
cleara1535
bloodyc1540
unproachable1544
flat1553
downright1577
sheer1583
right-down?1586
single1590
peremptory1601
perfecta1616
downa1625
implicit1625
every way1628
blank1637
out-and-outa1642
errant1644
inaccessional1651
thorough-paced1651
even down1654
dead1660
double-dyed1667
through stitch1681
through-stitched1682
total1702
thoroughgoing1719
thorough-sped1730
regular1740
plumb1748
hollow1751
unextenuated1765
unmitigated1783
stick, stock, stone dead1796
positive1802
rank1809
heart-whole1823
skire1825
solid1830
fair1835
teetotal1840
bodacious1845
raw1856
literal1857
resounding1873
roaring1884
all out1893
fucking1893
pink1896
twenty-four carat1900
grand slam1915
stone1928
diabolical1933
fricking1937
righteous1940
fecking1952
raving1954
1835 Dublin Penny Jrnl. 14 Nov. 155/2 Nick was sitting above wid his noggins, rubbin' his hands with fair delight.
1872 E. J. Irving Fireside Lays 232 The sichts an' the soun's that we witnessed, Amaist made me greet for fair shame.
1902 W. Satchell Land of Lost iv. 26 While it [sc. others' money] held out it would be a fair pour.
1944 N. Coward Middle East Diary 10 They can ramp about among obscure English essayists and have a fair beano.
1978 J. Dingwall Sunday too Far Away 42 I reckon..he's going to be a fair bastard to get rid of.
2000 T. Carew Jihad! (2001) iii. 66 We were off, rattling along at a fair old clip towards death, danger and destruction.
IV. Light, bright.† 18. Bright, light, shining. Also figurative. Obsolete.
17. Of hair or complexion: light as opposed to dark in colour. Of a person: having such colouring. See also fair-haired adj. 2, fair-skinned adj. at Compounds 1b.In early use frequently associated with beauty, and some early examples may have overtones of sense A. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > skin > complexion > whiteness or fairness > [adjective]
whiteOE
fairc1175
whitelya1387
blonde1481
whitelewe1495
fair-faced1553
buttermilk1606
lilied1614
white-skin1634
light-complexioned1770
leucous1842
blondine1867
blonde-complexioned1881
leucodermic1926
blondish1961
c1175 ( Homily: Hist. Holy Rood-tree (Bodl. 343) (1894) 18 Þa wurdon þa tweȝe cnihtæs al swa fæȝeres hiwæs swa heoræ fæderæs wæron & þa modra wæron alswa swearte swa heo ær wæron.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) 14715 Eouwer cun is feȝerest of alle quike monnen.
a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 33 (MED) On heu hire her is fayr ynoh, hire browe broune, hire eȝe blake.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (BL Add. 9066) (1879) 353 Domyciane..had ij doughtirs, one faire, a nother blak.
?a1560 J. Wallis in T. Wright Songs & Ballads Reign Philip & Mary (1860) 146 [Women are] Fearare then the flowar delyce; Ruddye as the rose.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 290 Your son in law is farre more faire then blacke. View more context for this quotation
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Yorks. 186 Negroes have their beauties as well as fair folk.
1717 P. Chamberlen Philos. Ess. Anodyne Necklace ii. 22 The Doctor got together..Men of all Complexions, Black, Brown, Ruddy, Fair, Dark, Tawny and Pale.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth II. 232 In all regions, the children are born fair, or at least red.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 10 547 Persons who have the fairest skin.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 61 His [face]..Sear'd by the close ecliptic, was not fair.
1925 E. M. Brent-Dyer School at Chalet i. 9 He lifted his fair boyish head to look at her.
1952 Changing Times Aug. 45/1 Nature provides the protection of a horny layer of dead cells... On very fair people, it is thinner.
1992 Hindu 13 Sept. (Delhi ed.) 2/7 Engineer in reputed concern in Madras seeks graduate, fair, good looking bride from decent family.
2003 New Scientist 29 Nov. 5/2 Oculocutaneous albinism..leads to very fair hair and skin, and highly light-sensitive blue eyes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adjective] > bright
shininga900
lighteOE
lightlyOE
sheenOE
torhtOE
shirea1000
steepa1000
shimmeringc1000
brightOE
strongOE
clear1297
fair?a1300
bright-shininga1387
merrya1393
skirea1400
lucident14..
shimc1400
staringc1400
luculentc1420
splendent1474
illuminousc1485
lucentc1500
bloominga1522
sheer1565
prelucent1568
faculent1575
splendant1578
lucid1591
neat1591
shine1596
translucent1596
well-lighted1606
nitid1615
lucible1623
dilucid1653
translucid1657
hard1660
?a1300 in E. Stengel Codicem Manu Scriptum Digby 86 (1871) 54 Þe riȝte sunne þat is so briȝt, Hey and feir and wel iliȝt Bicomeþ suartore þen þe pich.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22511 Þe sun..es þe fairest on to loke, At middai-time.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 5348 That love is right of sich nature [as the moon] Now is faire and now obscure.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. i. 5 I [sc. Lucifer] am so fare and bright, Of me commys all this light.
1580 W. Charke Answere to Seditious Pamphlet sig. D.i Your faire light woulde be dimme in the brightnesse of her wisedome.
1592 T. Lodge Euphues Shadow sig. L4 The candle is a faire light till thou behouldest the sun.
1639 ‘Philomusus’ Acad. Complements 159 Both [love and vertue] in darkest nights shine faire, Like to stars.
B. n.1† 1. Beauty, attractiveness; good looks. Also: a beautiful element or attribute. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun]
wlitec825
faireOE
fairnessOE
fairlecc1225
fairheadc1300
fairshipc1300
forma1382
clearnessa1400
beautyc1405
delicacya1450
pulchritudea1460
speciositya1470
lovelinessa1500
beautifulnessc1500
formosityc1500
fairhood?1503
bewtynes?c1510
decorea1513
venusty1559
decorum1604
bellitude1623
beauteousnessa1631
loveliheada1637
decor1656
luculency1656
Venus1657
coquetry1794
beautyhood1832
glamour1840
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > qualities constituting
beautya1425
beautiful1561
pulchritude1625
fair1633
eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) (2009) I. xviii. 457 Þæs lichoman fæger and his strengo mæg bion afyrred mid ðreora [daga fefre].
a1250 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 3 (MED) Heo neuer ne beoð sead þi ueir to iseonne.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 81 (MED) Al þet þe eȝe of herte yzyþ of uayr is uoulhede and uelþe to þe zyȝþe of him.
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) l. 385 (MED) Ther was no thyng..That man kan thynke. Wher yt of foule, wher yt of fayr.
1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie ii. vii. sig. F5v The greene meades, whose natiue outward faire Breathes sweet perfumes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) ii. i. 97 My decayed faire, A sunnie looke of his, would soone repaire. View more context for this quotation
1633 P. Fletcher Elisa 105 in Purple Island His weeping Spouse Elisa..all her beauteous faires with grief infecting.
2.
a. That which is fair (in various senses), esp. that which is just or honourable; the fair side or part of something. Frequently with the.In Old English in partitive genitive singular as postmodifier.With fair befall in quot. c1500 cf. note at fair adv. 6b.for foul nor fair: see foul n. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surface > [noun] > fair side or face
fairc1405
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [noun]
sweetnessc1000
mildnessOE
lithenessc1175
mildshipa1200
softnessa1200
mildheadc1300
softheadc1350
mansuetudec1390
tendresse1390
tendernessa1400
gentleness?c1400
mansuetiea1500
suavitude1512
treatableness1526
placability1531
lenity1548
pleasableness1556
mollity1562
fair1599
lenitude1627
placableness1647
unaggressiveness1870
OE Blickling Homilies 21 Hwæt we witon þonne se mon bið blind, þeah he mycel age & feala fægeres, þæt him bið mycel daru, gif he hit geseon ne mæg.
a1275 (?c1200) Prov. Alfred (Trin. Cambr.) (1955) 100 (MED) Ofte mon on faire fokel chesed.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. x. l. 85 (MED) To turne þe fayre outwarde.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Squire's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 510 On a Tombe is al the faire aboue [An]d vnder is the cors.
c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) cxc Fair and lufe befall The nychtingale.
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. iii. 92 Tis much pride For faire without the faire, within to hide. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. vi. 39 Can we not Partition make..Twixt faire, and foule? View more context for this quotation
?1623 O. Felltham Resolues lxxxv. 278 Their blacke tongues can neuer spot the faire of vertue.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xv. x. 277 Nothing short of the Fair and Honourable, will satisfy the Delicacy of their Minds. View more context for this quotation
1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 29 After..frequent interchange of foul and fair.
1909 G. Tyrrell Christianity at Cross-Roads ii. iii. 250 The science of religion..has for its object..the highest life of man's soul; his quest for the true, the good and the fair.
2009 D. Estes Bag of Gold xxxii. 101 When a man kills my boys,..I don't wait to find out the fair of it.
b. Gentle, non-violent treatment or methods; honourable behaviour or action; fair means. Chiefly in opposition to other nouns, as in †by fair or by force, (now only) by fair or (by) foul. archaic and rare after 16th cent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [noun] > non-violence
fair?c1450
bloodlessness1646
non-violence1831
non-injury1838
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 6 A lorde wolde haue a gentille-woman, bi faire or be force.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) iii. 16 A Damoyselle, whiche a greete lord wold haue for fayre or fowle for to accomplysshe his fowle playsyr.
1511 H. Watson tr. Noble Hist. King Ponthus (new ed.) sig. O.iv He wolde be lorde and kynge of the countree eyther by fayre or by foule.
1556 J. Bradford Let. declaring Nature of Spaniardes sig. B. viv Either for faire or foule, ye muste credite them til a paye daie, eyther willingly or agaynst your will.
1831 J. N. Mosby Fall of Algiers 298 By fair or foul we must an entrance gain.
1880 J. B. Stephens Misc. Poems 122 By fair or by foul, I'll have my thumb On that potentate's caput mortuum!
1962 R. H. Webb tr. Aristophanes Knights in tr. Aristophanes Compl. Plays 81 Somehow or other, by fair or by foul, to provide him his fee as a present.
3.
a. With the and plural agreement. Attractive people, esp. women, as a class; members of the ‘fair sex’ collectively. Now somewhat archaic.In early use esp. as distinguished from the foul.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > woman > [noun] > women collectively
wifkinOE
womanOE
womankinc1175
womankindc1175
womenkina1387
womenkinda1387
womanhoodc1405
feminityc1425
femininityc1450
femininec1451
the fair (also gentle, soft, weak, etc.) sex1536
the second sex1536
the woman sex1536
feminie1541
mesdames1552
the fairer (also gentler, softer, weaker, etc.) sex1578
sex1589
ladyhooda1666
fair1687
wimmin1710
womenfolk1729
mesdemoiselles1739
the female of the species1795
femalitiesc1801
ladykind1829
womanity1836
womandom1838
ladydom1843
petticoatery1849
tea-body1865
muslin1884
the skirt1899
quim1909
womyn1975
womxn1991
a1450 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Douce 295) ix. viii. f. 202 Go to þe cherche ȝerde, and þou shalt not knowyn be þe bodyis, þe riche from the pore, the faire from the foule.
1578 J. Florio Firste Fruites f. 86v Perhaps the fayre are strong, and the fowle cowardes.
1602 N. Breton Poste with Madde Packet Lett. I. sig. E The fowle laugh at the faire to see how they are troubled.
1687 A. Behn Amours Philander & Silvia 150 I want the presenting Eloquence that so perswades and charms the Fair.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Cock & Fox in Fables 246 What will not Beaux attempt to please the Fair?
1792 H. H. Brackenridge Mod. Chivalry I. vi. i. 127 Men of but loose and irregular education, succeed better with the fair, than scholars that are learned in the classics.
1834 People's Mag. 11 Jan. 171 Discharging these duties, he lived honored and courted by the great, and loved by the fair.
1898 Argosy Oct. 388 You fellows will be basking in the smiles of the fair.
1918 M. T. Hainsselin Naval Intelligence 159 He fell in love after that, and then began to learn. To be attached to one of the fair is very like being appointed to a ship.
2001 G. Wolfe Return to Whorl xxxv. 387 Many were the concubines of the caldé of the city, and these are the fairest of the fair.
b. A woman, a member of the ‘fair sex’; esp. a beautiful or beloved woman; (with possessive pronoun) one's sweetheart. Also in extended use and as a form of address. Now archaic and rare (chiefly poetic in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > woman > [noun]
wifeeOE
womaneOE
womanOE
queanOE
brideOE
viragoc1000
to wifeOE
burdc1225
ladyc1225
carlinec1375
stotc1386
marec1387
pigsneyc1390
fellowa1393
piecec1400
femalea1425
goddessa1450
fairc1450
womankindc1450
fellowessa1500
femininea1513
tega1529
sister?1532
minikinc1540
wyec1540
placket1547
pig's eye1553
hen?1555
ware1558
pussy?a1560
jade1560
feme1566
gentlewoman1567
mort1567
pinnacea1568
jug1569
rowen1575
tarleather1575
mumps1576
skirt1578
piga1586
rib?1590
puppy1592
smock1592
maness1594
sloy1596
Madonna1602
moll1604
periwinkle1604
Partlet1607
rib of man1609
womanship?1609
modicum1611
Gypsy1612
petticoata1616
runniona1616
birda1627
lucky1629
she-man1640
her1646
lost rib1647
uptails1671
cow1696
tittup1696
cummer17..
wife1702
she-woman1703
person1704
molly1706
fusby1707
goody1708
riding hood1718
birdie1720
faggot1722
piece of goods1727
woman body1771
she-male1776
biddy1785
bitch1785
covess1789
gin1790
pintail1792
buer1807
femme1814
bibi1816
Judy1819
a bit (also bundle) of muslin1823
wifie1823
craft1829
shickster?1834
heifer1835
mot1837
tit1837
Sitt1838
strap1842
hay-bag1851
bint1855
popsy1855
tart1864
woman's woman1868
to deliver the goods1870
chapess1871
Dona1874
girl1878
ladykind1878
mivvy1881
dudess1883
dudette1883
dudine1883
tid1888
totty1890
tootsy1895
floozy1899
dame1902
jane1906
Tom1906
frail1908
bit of stuff1909
quim1909
babe1911
broad1914
muff1914
manhole1916
number1919
rossie1922
bit1923
man's woman1928
scupper1935
split1935
rye mort1936
totsy1938
leg1939
skinny1941
Richard1950
potato1957
scow1960
wimmin1975
womyn1975
womxn1991
the world > animals > family unit > [noun] > female
daughtera1398
fairc1450
she?1527
she-male1776
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) l. 5984 (MED) The goodly freshe faire, That was fairer..Than is hir self Dame beaute.
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) xxiv. 84 The fayer þe proude pucell.
c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) lxvi. 63 That fair upward hir eye Wold cast.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades iii. 58 The faire was brought to bed so gorgeous drest.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream i. i. 182 Ô happy faire! Your eyes are loadstarres. View more context for this quotation
1639 J. Ford Ladies Triall iii. sig. E4 The best, though call em..Faires, fines, and honies, are but flesh and bloud.
a1649 R. Crashaw Carmen Deo Nostro (1652) sig. aiv Say, lingring fair! why comes the birth Of your braue soul so slowly forth?
1697 J. Dryden Alexander's Feast i. 1 None but the Brave deserves the Fair.
1735 S.-Carolina Gaz. 23 Aug. 1/2 There perform what I dare not name, The willing Fair, she soon consents.
1747 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 194/1 No fair forgets the ruin he has done.
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. I. x. 177 Pursuing his fair in a solitary street.
1876 J. S. Blackie Songs Relig. & Life 169 Some prouder fair hath humbled Thy proud passion.
1915 A. Noyes Lord of Misrule 121 My Fair was fled Beyond the dawning moon.
1999 S. Woods Lanyer iii. 83 Warnings against the dangerous lure of beauty can be found throughout the history of Western poetry from well before the proud fair of the courtly love tradition.
4. A person with fair hair or (relatively) light skin. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > skin > complexion > whiteness or fairness > [noun] > person
fair1771
blonde1822
Rhine maiden1965
1771 Hist. Sir William Harrington III. li. 1 One is a fair, the other a brunet.
1998 D. Hollinsworth Race & Racism in Austral. v. 142 As a family, we divide evenly into fairs and darks—seven fair skinned and seven dark skinned.
Phrases
P1. † b. to have the fairer (of): to have the advantage or better fortune (in). Obsolete.† c. to make it fair with: to deal compliantly with. Obsolete.† d. a fair day: a successful day in battle. Obsolete.
a. fair and free: beautiful and noble; used as a conventional complimentary epithet, originally and chiefly for a woman. Cf. free adj. 3a. Now archaic and rare.
ΚΠ
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) l. 100 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 109 Þe Amirales douȝter..þat was so fair and fre.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 633 Myrthe that is so faire and fre.
c1440 (?a1400) Sir Perceval (1930) l. 3 Lef, lythes to me, Two wordes or thre, Off one þat was faire and fre.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus iii. f. 45v Sichem the prince of that countre, Had reft Dina thair sister fair and fre.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. 6 Entred in, a spatious court they see..Where them does meete a francklin faire and free.
1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 31 Com thou Goddes fair and free, In Heav'n ycleap't Euphrosyne.
?1650 T. Jordan Claraphil & Clarinda sig. D3 If she be fair and free, She must see that in thee.
1731 G. Lillo Silvia i. xi. 20 How happy is that Woman's Life, Who, fair and free, has Wealth in store!
1785 W. Hayley Poems & Plays IV. 29 My Lucy, Lucy fair and free.
1826 E. N. Shannon Crazed Maid of Venice & Other Poems 60 But as the wife agreed, quite well, With her gay rival, fair and free.
1867 L. Jewitt Ballads Derbyshire 23 That lady so fair and free With rudd as red as rose in May.
1905 A. C. Benson Peace 99 I praise thee, Eton, thou art fair and free.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)]
overcomeeOE
forecomec1000
overwieldlOE
masterc1225
overmaistrie1340
overmatcha1375
overpassa1382
surmount1390
to have the fairer (of)c1400
maistriec1400
overmasterc1425
winc1440
overc1485
bestride1526
rixlec1540
overreach1555
control1567
overmate1567
govern1593
to give (a person) the lurch1598
get1600
to gain cope of1614
top1633
to fetch overa1640
down1641
to have the whip hand (of)1680
carberry1692
to cut down1713
to be more than a match for1762
outflank1773
outmaster1799
outgeneral1831
weather1834
best1839
fore-reach1845
to beat a person at his (also her, etc.) own game1849
scoop1850
euchrec1866
bemaster1871
negotiate1888
to do down1900
to get (someone) wetc1926
lick1946
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 99 As fortune wolde fulsun hom þe fayrer to haue.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) x. 77 Yar ennemys Had all ye fayrer [1487 St. John's Cambr. farer] off ye fycht.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 106v Þe troiens..þe fairer of þe fyght in þe feld had.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 122v If it falle me by fortune the feirer to haue.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > lessen in strictness or severity [verb (transitive)] > be lenient to
to make it fair witha1425
to ride (one) in, on, or with the snaffle1577
to pull one's punches1931
a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 365 (MED) Crist..wolde not make it faire wiþ þese ordris.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > victory > [noun] > a victory
victorya1340
a fair day1480
1480 Cronicles Eng. (Caxton) ccxliv. sig. t6v Our kyng..bad hem all be a good chere For they shold haue a faire day & a gracious victorie.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lxxviv A famous victory and a faire daie.
1550 R. Crowley Way to Wealth sig. Bviv The Egiptians thought to haue had a faire day at them.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. vi. xxxii. 239 They [sc. the Romans]..were but only in some good hope of having a fair day of their enemies.
1683 I. Walton Chalkhill's Thealma & Clearchus 130 Foretelling a fair day, the Soldiers now Began to bustle.
e. † (b) to be (also seem) fair for: to have (or appear to have) a good chance of reaching or attaining. Similarly to be fair to (do something). Cf. stand v.. Obsolete.
(a) to be in a fair way to (do something): to have a good chance or be in a good position to (do or achieve something). Similarly to be in a fair way of (now rare).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > have a good chance of [phrase]
to be in a fair way to (do something)a1618
to be (also seem) fair for1642
a1618 W. Raleigh Judicious Ess. & Observ. (1650) sig. E5v The Caliphes..obteined..a mighty Empire, which was in faire way to have inlarged.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew at Huckster In Huckster's Hands, at a desperate Pass, or Condition, or in a fair way to be lost.
1711 Boston News-let. 20 Aug. 2/1 Several wounded, who are in a fair way of recovery.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 20 Imperiali..having been in a fair way of obtaining the pontificate.
1814 D. H. O'Brien Narr. Captiv. & Escape 101 Being at last in a fair way of succeeding.
1871 A. D. Whitney Real Folks xx They are in a fair way of learning the niceness of being nice.
1948 Life 13 Sept. 124/2 George was at length in a fair way to achieve his ambition of running the country.
1991 G. Greer Change x. 248 Once you can distinguish the different tastes of water, you are in a fair way to have detoxified yourself.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > have a good chance of [phrase]
to be in a fair way to (do something)a1618
to be (also seem) fair for1642
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 11 Many more..who might seeme faire for it [sc. the grace of God].
?1655 R. Baron Mirza 260 He was fair (for ever) to have free'd his Fathers Territories of the Turk.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 29 I once was, as I thought, fair for the Cœlestial City. View more context for this quotation
f. fair to see (to): see see v. 29.
P2. Colloquial and idiomatic phrases.
a. fair-to-middling: moderately good; reasonable, acceptable. Also as adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective]
wellOE
sufferablea1340
worthy1340
sufficient1489
paregala1500
competent1535
something like?1556
right1567
sweet1577
fairish1611
all right1652
fair1656
comfortable1658
decent1711
respectable1750
unrepulsive1787
decentisha1814
fair-to-middling1822
fine1828
christena1838
OK1839
tidy1844
not (or none) so dusty?1856
sweet1898
oke1928
okey-doke1934
okey-dokey1936
tickety-boo1939
cool1951
aight1993
1822 Brit. Press 5 Oct. Minas, 16 bags, fair to middling, 8¼d.; Tenesees, 197 bales, very ordinary 5½d.
1865 C. F. Browne Artemus Ward his Trav. 41 The men are fair to middling.
1884 A. Doherty Nathan Barlow xi. 66 I guess my wallet's fair-to-middling fat.
1900 H. Garland Eagle's Heart 223 ‘How'd they feed ye back there?’..‘Oh, fair to middlin'.’
1961 Listener 5 Oct. 527/2 A fair-to-middling detective story.
2004 Guardian (Nexis) 3 Apr. (Sport section) 7 England's chances in the European Championship are fair-to-middling.
b. to be a fair bet: (with it as subject and that-clause) to be likely to be true or correct.
ΚΠ
1828 W. Maginn tr. E. F. Vidocq et al. Mem. I. iv. 61 It is a fair bet that we shall not have far to go without finding them at work.
1857 J. Stirling Lett. from Slave States xii. 151 Not one man in ten resides in the place of his birth; and it is a fair bet that he comes from a different State from that in which you find him.
1964 Telegraph (Brisbane) 24 Sept. 5/2 It is a fair bet that, with some bush natives taking full advantage of their drinking rights, there will be some lively corroborees in lounges and beer gardens.
2004 K. L. Grant Trading Risk i. 2 If we do this job well, it's a fair bet we will be rewarded; if not, we are highly likely to suffer a penalty.
c. to see fair: to ensure that a matter is dealt with fairly; = to see fair play at fair play n. and int. Phrases. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxv. 266 If you will step in there..Mr. Weller will see fair.
1891 Daily News 11 Mar. 5/2 The police..came up to see fair between both sides.
1940 G. B. Shaw in A. C. Michalos & D. C. Poff Shaw & Webbs (2002) 250 As most of us believe that God made both Mr Hitler and Lord Halifax, we must reasonably believe that God will see fair.
d. a fair treat (in predicative use) a person or thing considered to be highly pleasing or commendable; (as adverbial phrase) very well. Cf. treat n.1 5.ironic in quot. 1884.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adverb]
sweetlyc900
queemlyOE
lustly971
winlyc1000
sootlya1125
to (a person's) queemc1175
lustilya1225
avenantlya1375
pleasinglya1398
queema1400
beinc1400
farrandlyc1400
pleasantlyc1400
pleasantlya1425
queemfullyc1425
thankfullyc1480
greablyc1500
dulcely1508
dulcea1525
pleasant1553
agreeably?1567
pleasurably1580
sugarly1587
flattering1597
sweet1597
attractively1640
well-pleasingly1645
welcomely1646
flatteringly1661
relishingly1677
satisfyingly1743
sweetsome1799
smilingly1806
dulcetly1810
gratifyingly1822
honeyedly1832
enjoyably1877
suavely1883
congenially1884
a fair treat1884
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [noun] > pleasing person
weala1225
pleaserc1447
agreeable1712
treat1825
nicey?1870
a fair treat1884
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [noun] > source of pleasure > a treat
treat1805
nicey?1870
jam1871
a fair treat1884
pie1884
1884 Standard 17 Apr. 2/6 Woolford, a daring young rascal, on leaving the station, said the birch was ‘a fair treat’.
1899 Daily News 8 May 4/2 This air makes yer liver work a fair treat.
1900 Strand Mag. 20 38/1 ‘You're a fair treat, Tom,’ ses Bill... ‘I thought you'd be pleased, Bill,’ ses Tom.
1905 H. G. Wells Kipps i. iv. 80 These little Folkestone hills are a Fair Treat.
1936 ‘N. Blake’ Thou Shell of Death iii. 52 Miss Cavendish. You're looking a fair treat.
2003 T. Pratchett Monstrous Regiment (2004) 81 It'll spice up the meat a fair treat.
e. U.S. for fair: completely, altogether; certainly, without doubt.
ΚΠ
1893 Art in Advertising Oct. 59 (advt.) A world wide wholesale sign painter and a world beater. In it for fair—in it to paint signs everywhere.
1903 N.Y. Times 5 Dec. 5 I seem to be putting my foot in it for fair.
1927 D. Hammett Big Knock-over in Black Mask Feb. 29/1 These bimbos were a couple of lollipops for fair. There wouldn't have been an ounce of fight in a ton of them.
1957 J. Kerouac On the Road i. ix. 53 Then we danced and started on the beer for fair.
2000 T. Clancy Bear & Dragon lviii. 949 We've chopped their supply line for fair, and they're heading into a real motherfucker of an ambush.
f. to give (something) a fair wind. Cf. sense A. 7b.
(a) To give (something) favourable treatment or attention.
ΚΠ
1923 Proc. Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of District of Columbia 113 514 He approves of the Boys Order of De Molay, and will give it a fair wind in Montana.
1955 H. Macmillan Diary 13 July (2003) 447 I have also asked our P.M. to send a personal message to Nehru, asking him to give it a fair wind in Peking.
1992 Independent 7 Mar. (Mag.) 46/2 He gives the Anglo-Irish agreement a very gloomy outlook, and he only allowed it a few grudging words at the outset because Willie Whitelaw asked him to ‘give it a fair wind’.
(b) Nautical. In imperative: used to ask someone to pass the salt, pepper, etc., during a meal.
ΚΠ
1929 F. C. Bowen Sea Slang 46 Give the salt a fair wind, please.
1945 D. Bolster Roll on my Twelve Gloss. 133 Give the mustard a fair wind, ‘Pass the mustard’.
1972 Newport (Rhode Island) Daily News 10 Mar. 4/7 Give the salt a fair wind—On board ship this simply meant ‘pass the salt’.
1989 R. Jolly Jackspeak 103 Give the salt and pepper a fair wind in this direction please.
g. a fair cop: see cop n.7 1. all's fair in love and war: see all's fair in love and war at love n.1 Phrases 6a(b). to make fair weather (of): see weather n. 2b. to show a fair pair of heels: see show v. Phrases 1a.
P3. Phrases used parenthetically or as interjections.
a.
(a) be fair: used to entreat someone to be just or reasonable, esp. in response to a biased or limited account of something.
ΚΠ
1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. ii. 14 Look in that Breast, most dirty D——! be fair, Say, can you find out one such Lodger there?
1881 W. D. Howells Fearful Responsibility 36 ‘Celia, Celia! Be fair, now!’ cried Elmore.
1908 A. Berkman in Mother Earth Apr. 69 Be fair; give ear.
1999 C. Dexter Remorseful Day (2000) xxxix. 224 Hold on though, Morse! Be fair! Amid a plethora of caveats, Dr Hobson had pointed to a fairly specific type of weapon, had she not?
2003 E. Noble Reading Group 358 ‘He never did his shirt buttons up, if I remember rightly. He made Tom Jones look like the soul of propriety’ ‘Euk!’ ‘Be fair. It was a long time ago. It was probably fashionable at the time’.
(b) to be fair: taking into account all the relevant facts; looking at the situation fairly. Frequently used to indicate qualification of a previous statement.
ΚΠ
1906 Racine (Wisconsin) Daily Jrnl. 1 Aug. 4/1 To be fair, it can be said..that Governor Cummins is credited with a majority of the delegates chosen, just as the opponents of the then Governor..had a majority of the delegates.
1971 B. Sidran Black Talk i. 4 To be fair, it should be noted that ‘selective attention’ works both ways.
1989 A. Fine Goggle-Eyes (1990) iv. 52 He always spoke his mind—though, to be fair, he'd welly in on anybody's side.
1991 R. Reiner Chief Constables v. xii. 320 It did give us enormous powers, to be fair. Powers to take fingerprints, photographs.
2009 Guardian 26 Nov. (Technol. section) 2/4 To be fair, some of the vulnerabilities have only been possible after users ‘jailbroke’ their phones to run applications not authorised by Apple.
b. fair enough: that's reasonable; I accept that.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > acquiescence > [phrase]
well, wellOE
fair enough1817
1817 S. W. Ryley Itinerant VI. xxx. 322 Two per cent discount—fair enough.
1835 W. H. Maxwell My Life III. xx. 146 ‘Let me hear what the service is, and then I will answer you.’ ‘Fair enough.’
1871 Atlantic Monthly Jan. 47/1 ‘Fair enough,’ said Madam Delia, submitting. ‘I ain't denyin' of it.’
1934 A. Christie Parker Pyne Investigates 29 Wilbraham considered. ‘Fair enough,’ he said at last. ‘I agree.’
1958 G. Barker Two Plays 18 ‘Why won't he come?’ ‘Simply because he don't want to.’ ‘Fair enough. Fair enough. Let's get the dinghy.’
2009 Observer 25 Jan. 29/5 OK, fair enough, maybe some people don't think the hair and suits work.
c. fair's fair: (reciprocal) fairness is called for; let's be reasonable; it's only right.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [phrase] > fairly > fairness is called for
fair's fair1840
1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. xii. 31 Fair is fair, work or play.]
1840 Burton's Gentleman's Mag. July 38 Fair's fair, old fellow, but double duty is too much for any one.
1898 S. J. Weyman Castle Inn xxiii. 231 No, but fair's fair, and if I am not in this, it is low.
1938 ‘C. S. Forester’ Ship of Line ix. 118 Fair's fair..I'll spin a coin for it.
1963 C. Mackenzie My Life & Times II. 161 ‘No, no,’ said Mr Green, with a sigh of noble resignation. ‘Fair's fair. They're your plums now.’
2003 J. M. Coetzee Elizabeth Costello (2004) i. 14 Of course, fair's fair, men will have to set about reclaiming the Heathcliffs and Rochesters from romantic stereotyping too.
d. fair point: used to concede or acknowledge the truth or validity of a statement.
ΚΠ
1975 Guardian 7 May 13/4 Health insurance firms don't like bad risks:..they mostly leave the mentally subnormal, pregnant women, and the accident prone to the dear old NHS. Fair point.
1998 C. Eden & F. Ackermann Making Strategy (2002) 246 Fran interjected, ‘my guess is that Tom..saw it as an opportunity to express his point of view.’ ‘OK, fair point.’
2005 N. Hornby Long Way Down 138 Fair point, fair point. I can see where you're coming from.
P4. In proverbs and proverbial expressions (often in fair words: see sense A. 4).Frequently in expressions stating that nothing is achieved with fine-sounding speech or flattery (often after fair words butter no parsnips at butter v. Phrases 3), or in expressions advocating gentle or peaceful speech or action, as fair words break no bones.
ΚΠ
a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 62 (MED) Feir biheste makeþ mony mon al is serewes mythe.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 4923 Faire hotes makes foles blythe.
c1475 Proverbs (Rawl. D.328) in Mod. Philol. (1940) 38 118 (MED) A fere be-heyste makyt a fole gladde.
a1550 ( G. Ripley Compend of Alchemy (Bodl. e Mus.) f. 54 (MED) Fayre promisses maketh foles fayne.
1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre cliv, in Posies sig. Kii Fayre wordes make fooles fayne.
1600 M. Drayton Idea in Englands Heroicall Epist. (rev. ed.) sig. Q5 v Faire words makes fooles, replieth he againe.
1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer v. iii Fair words butter no cabbage.
1678 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. (ed. 2) 366 Fair words break never bone; foul words breaks many ane.
1726 J. Stevens New Dict. Span. & Eng. at Dinero Money does all things, but fair words butter no cabbage.
1783 Baratarian Inquest 56 Either give up the point at once, or go on with temper. Fair words break no bones.
1820 W. Scott Abbot (1832) xxx. 420 I have..put him off with fair words, which make fools fain.
1821 Old Wives' Tales 27 ‘He was always good-natured to me.’ ‘Ah! my dear, “fair words butter no turnips”.’
1857 H. G. Bohn Handbk. Prov. 70 The belly is not filled with fair words.
1897 Pall Mall Mag. Nov. 340 ‘Ho, ho! my masters’, cried he; ‘fair words break no bones’.
1998 F. Bulman Dict. Prov. Anglais-Français 154 Fair words break no bones. There is nothing lost by civility.
2007 S. Arnott Peculiar Prov. 46 Fair words butter no cabbage. Serbian.
Compounds
C1. Compounds of the adjective.
a.
(a) Forming (chiefly parasynthetic) adjectives, as fair-ankled, fair-bearded, fair-natured, etc.Some of the more established compounds of this type are treated separately.
ΚΠ
OE Paternal Precepts 12 Wes þu þinum yldrum arfæst symle, fægerwyrde.
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 13 He was A man fayre formed. and of large stature.
?1526 G. Hervet tr. Erasmus De Immensa Dei Misericordia Table Termes sig. M.vi/2 Eloquent, fayre langaged.
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse xv. f. 81 He was comely and fair-visag'd.
?1624 G. Chapman tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 148 Her faire-anckl'd Mother.
1634 J. Ford Chron. Hist. Perkin Warbeck v. sig. I4 Young Buckingham is a fayre natur'd Prince.
1726 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey V. xxiii. 142 Fair-zon'd damsels form the sprightly dance.
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Tragedies 88 Does Jove approach her in this fair-horn'd state?
1795 J. Fawcett Art of War 4 In the number rank'd Of fair-reputed callings.
1820 J. Keats Lamia ii, in Lamia & Other Poems 43 Now no azure vein Wander'd on fair-spaced temples.
1839 Flowers of my Spring 137 Weep for the falseness of fair-worded men.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. ix. 288 Angry with me for the sake Of a fair-tressed wanton.
1908 H. Carrington Vitality, Fasting & Nutrition p. vii I shall be only too glad to hear any criticism or fair-spirited attack that may be leveled, either at the book or at myself.
1920 F. Hamilton Days before Yesterday vi. 164 Schrötter was a fair-bearded giant, who was certainly well equipped physically for playing ‘heroic’ parts.
1987 S. E. White in V. Suthren Canad. Stories Sea (1993) 256 The scullion was a fair-skilled, jolly, good-natured young artist.
2011 Business World (Nexis) 8 Feb. s3/6 The 14-track album sees the fair-voiced singer expounding on her strength as an interpreter of popular tunes.
(b)
fair-born adj.
ΚΠ
1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. 103 Bless'd Infants, who from such a Mother came, You, fair Born Daughters, imitate her Fame.
1814 Edinb. Encycl. (1830) VII. i. 49/2 The fair born children of Negroes.
2008 E. Larson Best Baby Names Treasury (2011) 499 Kinnon,..One who is fair-born.
fair-cheeked adj.
ΚΠ
1600 T. Dekker Shomakers Holiday sig. D4v That old dog Loue that fawnd vpon him so, Loue to that puling girle, his faire cheek't Rose.
1747 Epist. to G. Lyttleton in R. Dodsley Coll. Poems (1751) I. 73 In thy soft lines I view the fair-cheek'd dame.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. i. 9 Let the fair-cheeked maid Embark, Chryseis.
1992 Toronto Star 6 July a2 We try to have a nice-looking, fair-cheeked cashier.
fair-coloured adj.
ΚΠ
?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) I. lf. 9 The pecok that is proud of the fayr fethers diuersly fair colourd wiche he spreded roound as a whele.
1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) iii. iii. f. 55v It [sc. abstinence] clarifieth the humoures, maketh the body fayre coloured.
1623 G. Markham Countrey Contentments, or Eng. Huswife (new ed.) i. 151 See that..your Clarret wines be faire coloured, and bright as a Rubie.
1757 J. Dyer Fleece iii. 91 Fair-colour'd threads.
1823 T. Roughley Jamaica Planter's Guide vi. 336 The manufacture of..strong-grained, fair-coloured, marketable Muscovada sugar.
1901 R. Kipling Kim xiv. 361 A fair-coloured woman with turquoise-studded headgear.
1993 Frontiers 13 64 Christina's ethnicity was ambiguous since she had fair-colored skin but dark brown hair.
fair-complexioned adj.
ΚΠ
1615 J. Loiseau de Tourval tr. H. de Feynes Exact Surv. E. Indies 28 There the inhabitants begin to bee faire complextioned.
1735 G. Lyttelton Lett. from Persian xxv. 61 A very pretty, fair-complexion'd Girl.
1867 T. Carlyle Reminisc. (1881) I. 139 She was of the fair-complexioned..and comely type.
1935 G. Clark Great Wall Crumbles iii. 50 The early comers from the West..acted in ways which completely confirmed the folk tale conception that fair complexioned peoples were barbarous.
2004 Straits Times (Singapore) (Nexis) 11 Dec. Eyewitnesses described the suspect as a slim, fair-complexioned man in his mid-30s.
fair-eyed adj.
ΚΠ
1553 T. Paynell tr. Dares Faythfull & True Storye Destr. Troye f. 18 Alexander was whyte, strong, verye fayre eyde, yelowe herde and softe.
1630 M. Drayton Noahs Floud in Muses Elizium 96 The Bull..to the Arke brings on the faire ey'd Cow.
1749 London Mag. July 331/1 Lo! fair ey'd innocence, for thee The busy worldling flies.
a1845 T. Hood Lamia v, in W. Jerdan Autobiogr. (1852) I. 274 I thought This fair-eyed day would never see you from me!
1911 M. Fishberg Jews, Race & Environment xxiii. 507 European Jews have between fifteen and thirty per cent. of blonde-haired, and even up to fifty per cent. of fair-eyed, persons in their midst.
2007 J. Kretschmer At Mercy of Sea 102 The women were the most beautiful I had ever seen, dark skinned, fair eyed, and completely put together.
fair-featured adj.
ΚΠ
?1605 J. Davies Wittes Pilgrimage sig. Q2 Faire featurd soule! well-shapen Spright! in which subsisting bee, Grace, Goodnesse, Glory.
1781 London Mag. Aug. 393/1 How false is my love, How deceitful the fair-featur'd maid.
1850 E. B. Browning Poems (new ed.) II. 30 O fair-featured maids.
2005 L. Windsor Paper Moon v. 38 Tall, tan, and fair-featured, the obviously American youth stood out in the nightclub.
fair-waisted adj.
ΚΠ
1851 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad ix. 170 And Putroclus on the other side reclined: and by him also lay fair-waisted Iphis.
1905 Poet Lore 16 51 Damayanti, the fair-waisted maiden, won the praise of men by her beauty, her majesty, her grace and noble bearing.
2004 tr. in M. Bose Ramayana Revisited ii. 70 Fair-waisted woman, I want to make love to you.
b. † fair chance n. Obsolete a type of 18th-cent. gambling game or lottery.The exact nature of the game is unknown.† fair-fashioned adj. Obsolete (a) well-made; (b) Scottish superficially attractive or pleasant-mannered; plausible; flattering. † fair-hair n. Scottish Obsolete rare = paxwax n.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.† fair roebuck n. Hunting Obsolete a fully grown roe deer, esp. a buck; spec. one in its fifth year.† fair world n. Obsolete rare a state of well-being or prosperity.
fair ball n. Baseball (a) a pitch delivered within the strike zone (now rare); (b) a batted ball that keeps within the two foul lines as it goes past first or third base, or that comes to rest or is touched by a fielder between the foul lines in the infield; cf. foul ball n. 2a.
ΚΠ
1855 Spirit of Times 12 May 147/2 A player must make his first base after striking a fair ball.
1864 Amer. Boy's Bk. Sports & Games i. 89 Should the pitcher repeatedly fail to deliver to the striker fair balls, for the apparent reason of delaying the game, or for any other cause, the Umpire, after warning him [etc.].
1881 N.Y. Times 3 Aug. 8 Esterbrook..was put out by leaving his base on what he thought was a fair ball, but which was declared a foul by the umpire.
1906 J. G. Wood Boy's Mod. Playmate (rev. ed.) 47 For each fair ball the umpire calls ‘strike’.
1959 Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail 30 July 22/4 With a full count, he fanned and the game was over, a far cry from the result if that first blast had been a fair ball.
2004 J. D'Amore R. Hornsby ii. 16 Any fair ball that subsequently bounced out of play earned the batter a round trip.
fair catch n. (a) (in Rugby Union and Australian Rules football) a catch of a ball kicked by an opposing player leading to a mark (mark n.1 32); (b) American Football a catch of a ball kicked by an opposing player in which the receiving player, having signalled that he or she will not advance the ball, may not be tackled.
ΚΠ
1861 Bell's Life in London 10 Nov. 3 For some time the game was so close that the ball could not get about, but after awhile a ‘fair catch’ fell into T. Davenport's hands, to end, unfortunately, in ‘a miss’.
1891 W. Camp Amer. Football 114 Few realize the great advantage of these long place-kicks to a team upon occasion of fair catches.
1896 Advertiser (Adelaide) 9 May 4/7 Were 10 yards made the shortest range at which a free kick could be earned by a fair catch, the present crowded state of the game would be vastly altered.
1960 E. S. Higham & W. J. Higham High Speed Rugby xiii. 183 The method of making a fair-catch is to make a mark on the ground with the heel as the ball is caught, and to call: ‘Mark!’
1981 G. Sullivan Football Rules Illustr. (1985) ix. 24 Automatic time-outs occur in these instances: following a touchdown or field goal;..when a receiver makes a fair catch [etc.].
2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 1 Sept. c24/5 The coaches tell Jones to make a fair catch.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > other games of chance > [noun]
even or odd1538
love1585
Jack-in-the-box?1593
under-hat1629
pluck-penny1643
morra1659
catch-dolt1674
shuffle-cap1712
fair chance1723
E O1751
teetotum1753
rondo1821
cut-throat1823
hop-my-fool1824
odds and evens1841
spin-'em-round1851
halfpenny under the hat1853
racehorses1853
fan-tan1878
tan1883
pakapoo1886
legality1888
petits chevaux1891
pai gow1906
boule1911
put and take1921
1723 S. Centlivre Artifice v. 84 He is Baron of Fair-Chance, and Viscount of all the Pharoah-Tables in and about London.
a1753 P. Drake Memoirs (1755) II. xi. 235 A Pharoah Table, Cards, and a Fair Chance being ready.
fair comment n. chiefly Law a comment or criticism made without malicious intent and based on correct factual information; (now more usually) the right to make such a comment, esp. if it is in the public interest; a legal defence based on this; also in extended use.
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1887 Harvard Law Rev. 1 49 Attacks on the dead must be punishable as libels.., unless, indeed, they are privileged as fair comments on matters of public interest or the like.
1964 A. Swinson Six Minutes to Sunset ix. 166 The defence plea was a denial that the words complained of bore a defamatory meaning, that they were true in substance and in fact, and also that they were fair comment on a matter of public interest.
1995 Carpworld July 107/1 Several members noted the often yobbish behaviour by the kids, which was fair comment, they had plenty of mouth.
2013 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 19 Apr. b3 The Charter of Rights provides for free expression, freedom of association. So we think we are in our constitutional rights to offer our version of the way we see things. That's fair comment.
fair-conditioned adj. (a) pleasant-natured, good-tempered (now rare); (b) in reasonably good condition.
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1473 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 463 Wherffor, iff ye knowe any lykly men and fayre condycioned and good archerys, sende hem to me.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Gg.iii She therfore beloued of a woorthie and faire condicioned yonge Gentilman, was bent with hert and minde to loue him.
1634 W. Laud Let. 9 Oct. in Wks. (1860) (modernized text) VII. 92 A very honest, fair-conditioned man.
1767 Addr. People of Eng. on Manners of Times 32 All others in proportion to the extent and influence of your character..will be just, fair conditioned, gentle.
1828 C. Fry Assistant Educ. II. 191 The man continued civil and fair conditioned, and was much employed thereabouts.
1832 Farmers' Jrnl. 11 June 191/2 Fair conditioned Queys and Heifers were sold at from four guineas to £6.
1904 Assembly Herald May 270/1 Look at this whole question of ministerial support with a fair-conditioned mind as a member of the Court of Honor.
1984 K. Read in J. Cornwall Hard-earned Lives 15 I couldn't even tell the woman if I thought this house was a fair conditioned house.
2011 Land (Nexis) 24 Nov. 78 Agents reported a 100 per cent clearance for the mixed quality and fair conditioned cattle.
fair cow n. colloquial (Australian and New Zealand) an exceedingly unpleasant or disagreeable person, situation, etc.; cf. sense A. 16.
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1904 Bulletin (Sydney) 7 Jan. 16/2 This is a fair cow of a day—with a violent dust-storm, flies, heat.
1916 Anzac Bk. 31/2 'Ee's a fair cow, 'e is.
1933 N. Scanlan Tides of Youth 59 Pat had only Potty Barker's ‘a fair cow of a winter’ to conjure scenes of dripping desolation.
2002 Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 27 Dec. 22 It's a fair cow sorting out airline schedules.
fair curve n. a smooth curve; esp. (Nautical) one in the body of a ship.
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1754 M. Murray Treat. Ship-building & Navigation ii. ii. 132 By which means we shall have a fair curve from the heighth of the breadth to the rising line.
1826 C. F. Partington Ship-builder's Compl. Guide 27 The supporter under it must form a fair curve to break in with the after end of the middle rail.
1905 Math. Gaz. 3 242 We find that a fair curve through the second set of points passes very close to the first set also.
2003 A. Biran Ship Hydrostatics & Stability xiii. 297 In ship design, we may be less interested in passing the curve through all the given points, than in obtaining a fair curve.
fair do's n. (also fair do) British colloquial (originally regional) equitable or unbiased treatment (frequently used to request just treatment or accept that it has been given); cf. do n.1 1a.
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society > morality > rightness or justice > [noun] > fairness or equity > action
fair play?a1500
square play or dealing1592
the square thing1592
fair dealing1609
to do justice to (a person or thing)1610
fair deal1837
fairation1847
fair do's1859
square deal1876
fair dinkum1881
cricket1900
1859 T. Hughes Scouring of White Horse vi. 122 Only seemed to want what they called ‘fair doos’.
1862 C. C. Robinson Dial. Leeds & Neighbourhood 282 ‘A shabby dew’, says a man who has had twopence given him for getting a waggon-load of coals in. ‘A fairish dew’, says another who has got a shilling and a lot of victuals away with him for the same.
1941 L. A. G. Strong Bay 168 Come on, Doctor. Fair do's.
1953 S. Beckett Watt i. 8 The lady now removing her tongue from the gentleman's mouth, he put his into hers. Fair do, said Mr Hackett.
2003 G. Joseph Big Smoke xxxviii. 332 He..felt as though the kid had played him. Fair do's, though, he thought,..and paid up.
fair-face adj. Building (of brickwork) = fair-faced adj. 3.
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1861 Papers on Duties Corps Royal Engineers New Ser. X. 149 The bricks can, however, be more easily laid in it, and the joints be more quickly struck or made fair with the trowel in fair face work.
1948 Archit. Rev. 104 186 The north wall is fair-face brick.
2002 New Civil Engineer (Nexis) 1 Feb. The exterior will be fair face concrete, the inside wall will be lined.
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?1555 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmuller Frutefull, Piththye & Learned Treat. xvi. 53 The egge shell, thoughe it bee goodly and faire fashioned, must bee opened and broken.
1597 C. Middleton Famous Hist. Chinon iv. sig. F3 A mighty ragged Rocke, wherein was a faire fashioned sword curiously contriued of many sundry mettals.
1763 J. Bissett Disc. Several Important Subj. 11 How odious among upright men, is a man we call fair-fashioned, who will make many and solemn protestations of love and friendship, but if you were to put him to it, no man should be found less your friend?
1776 London Rev. Eng. & Foreign Lit. Feb. 160 Fair fashioned Flora, fancy's sylvan queen.
1823 E. Logan St. Johnstoun II. 195 Ye are aye sae fair-fashioned..there's scarce ony saying again' ye.
1841 Tait's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 152/2 A clever, fair-fashioned, sleeky-tongued, lang-headed rascal.
1878 Jrnl. Asiatic Soc. Bengal 47 10 Borne on the fair-fashioned litters, all new and builded broad.
fair folk n. chiefly Scottish, Welsh English, and Irish English (with the or in plural) fairies collectively; cf. fairy folk at fairy n. and adj. Compounds 1b. [Compare Welsh tylwyth teg (15th cent.; < tylwyth family, kinsfolk, tribe + teg fair: see mundic n.), and also good folk n. at good adj., n., adv., and int. Compounds 1c.]
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a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) viii. vi. 7 Nymphis and fawnys..Quhilk fairfolkis..clepyng we [L. Fauni Nymphaeque].
1602 in H. Paton Dundonald Parish Rec. (1936) 15 Marioun Or..professing hir self to ryd with the fair folk and to haif skill.
1857 A. Maclaren Fairy Family 57 Within these circles it was dangerous for mortals to rest or sleep, for the Fair Folk generally punished such transgressions severely.
1881 W. Sikes Brit. Goblins ii. 12 The modern Welsh name for fairies is y Tylwyth Teg, the fair folk or family.
1898 Literature 24 Sept. 272/1 There yet survives in Ireland the older conception of the ‘good people’, the ‘fair folk’, who must be given a pleasant name precisely because they are evil.
1913 E. M. Wright Rustic Speech & Folk-lore xii. 207 Collective names [for Fairies] are: the Fair Folk, or Gueede Neighbours (ne.Sc.).
2009 A. S. Byatt Children's Bk. (2010) xv. 181 How can it be that our species so steadily and persistently and consistently reported sightings of the fairfolk, and occasional dealings with them, if they do not exist?
fair game n. a legitimate object of pursuit; a person or thing considered a reasonable target for criticism, exploitation, or attack.
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the mind > will > intention > [noun] > intention or purpose > end, purpose, or object > goal or target
markc1275
lodestarc1374
aimc1400
mete1402
pricka1450
butta1522
level1525
white marka1533
goal1540
Jack-a-Lent1553
blankc1557
scope1562
period1590
upshot1591
bird1592
golden goal1597
nick1602
quarry1615
North Star1639
huba1657
fair game1690
endgame1938
target1942
cockshot1995
1690 T. Shadwell Amorous Bigotte Epilogue You at the first fair game before you eye, As fiercely as unhooded Hawks would fly.
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle IV. xcvi. 39 He accompanied my lord to Newmarket, and..was marked as fair game, by all the knowing ones there assembled.
1801 M. Edgeworth Belinda I. vii. 209 Quiz the doctor..he's an author—so fair game.
1855 C. M. Yonge Cameos xxxiii, in Monthly Packet Apr. 252 As to the unfortunate Jews, each party considered them fair game.
1907 ‘N. Blanchan’ Birds Every Child should Know xv. 215 For many years it was supposed that every member of the hawk family was a villain and fair game.
2002 A. Davies Frog King 44 Just because you spell an author's name wrong..doesn't mean that you're stupid and worthless and fair game for public ridicule.
fair go n. see fair go n.
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the world > animals > mammals > [noun] > parts of > other parts
paxwaxa1325
testis1681
leaf1819
Harderian gland1822
fair-hair1825
ovarian follicle1834
Graafian follicle1841
thyro-hyal1854
Gartner's canal1874
admaxillary1896
baculum1939
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. I. Fair-hair, the name given to the tendon of the neck of cattle or sheep; Stirlings.
fair-handed adj. (a) having beautiful, nicely shaped, or fair-skinned hands (in later use sometimes implying unfamiliarity with hard work); also figurative (now rare); (b) free of bias or preference; just, impartial, even-handed.
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the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > extremities > hand > [adjective] > types of
fair-handed1505
steadfast1535
white-handed1598
hard-handed1600
horny1693
large-handed1712
red-handed1827
lily-handed1847
talon-like1883
1505 F. Marsin et al. Rep. Queen of Naples (modernized text) in J. Gairdner Historia Regis Henrici Septimi (1858) 232 We perceived the said queen to be right fair handed, and..they be somewhat fully and soft and fair and clean skinned.
1603 N. Breton Merrie Dialogue 10 A..faire handed, small footed, straight bodied, and, as I after found, smooth tounged gentlewoman.
1634 Malory's Most Anc. Hist. Prince Arthur i. sig. Gg3 Hee is a faire handed man.
1728 J. Thomson Spring 27 Fair-handed Spring unbosoms every Grace.
1848 Ainsworth's Mag. 14 113 Systems as unworthy of fair-handed commerce as they are unjust to her supporters, the public.
1883 Cent. Mag. Nov. 54/2 The St. Charles Hotel, where the nabobs of the Viver plantations came and dwelt with their fair-handed wives.
1917 S. Lewis Job xiv. 233 The white-haired, fair-handed women of fifty and sixty.., for whom life was nothing but a desk and a job of petty pickings.
1977 National Jrnl. (U.S.) (Nexis) 12 Feb. 232 Carter solved the dilemma by a fair-handed judgment—each of his nine senior aides would be equal in rank and status and receive a similar salary.
2002 S. Berry Hinterland i. 14 I thought that by sacking you in a fair-handed manner, I might extend the life of the government.
Fair Hebe jug n. [ < fair adj. + Hebe n.1 + jug n.2] any of a number of Staffordshire-ware jugs made in the late 18th cent. by the French potter John Voyez and his imitators, bearing a design in relief of rustic figures and inscribed with the words ‘Fair Hebe’.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > pouring vessel > [noun] > jug > specific types of jug
stone juga1616
prochous1800
owl jug1872
Fair Hebe jug1881
masked jug1910
mask jug1912
goat and bee1931
baluster jug1939
1881 Leicester Chron. & Leics. Mercury 19 Mar. 1/1 Toby Philpot jugs, Fair Hebe jug, and magnificent jug by Turner.
1912 Chaffers's Marks & Monograms Pottery & Porcelain (ed. 13) 698 Some ‘Fair Hebe’ jugs also bear the mark of Voyez.
1987 Sotheby's Chinese Export Porcelain & B. J. Lake Coll. Staffs. Figures 352 A ‘Fair Hebe’ jug..with a youth..presenting a bird's nest to his sweetheart.
fair lady n. (with possessive pronoun) a woman who is the object of one's love or devotion (esp. with allusion to chivalrous love); a man's wife or partner; now somewhat archaic; cf. good lady n. at good adj., n., adv., and int. Compounds 1c.In early use probably not a fixed collocation.
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the mind > emotion > love > a lover > [noun] > one who is loved or a sweetheart > specifically a female sweetheart or girlfriend
lief971
ladya1393
ladyshipa1393
speciala1400
amiec1400
womanc1400
amoreta1425
mistressc1425
paramoura1450
fair ladya1470
girl?a1513
sooterkin1530
Tib1533
she1547
lady-love1568
jug1569
young lady1584
pigeon1592
love-lass1594
lass1596
dowsabel1612
swainling1615
lucky1629
Dulcinea1638
Lindabrides1640
inamorata1651
baby1684
best girl1691
lady friend1733
young woman1822
moll1823
querida1834
sheila1839
bint1855
tart1864
babykins1870
Dona1874
novia1874
fancy-girl1892
girlfriend1892
cliner1895
tootsy1895
dinah1898
best1904
twist and twirl1905
jane1906
kitten1908
patootie1918
meisie1919
bride1924
gf1925
jelly1931
sort1933
a bit (also piece) of homework1945
beast1946
queen1955
momma1964
mi'jita1970
her indoors1979
girlf1991
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 683 My fayre lady and my love, mercy!
1595 G. Peele Old Wiues Tale sig. F Now get you to your faire Lady, and see what you can doo with her.
1781 J. Pinkerton Sc. Tragic Ballads xii. 70 Frae his fair lady's sicht he strave His ettling sae to hide.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. ix. 173 Mr. Rushworth was at the door to receive his fair lady . View more context for this quotation
1929 Rotarian Dec. 59/1 A man may even buy the engagement ring for his fair lady on the installment plan today.
2013 Sunday Independent (Nexis) 10 Feb. 34 Let there be no unromantic curmudgeons this Valentine's Day. Your Fair Lady..would love a bit of rosy-hued fun whether you cook at home, [etc.].
fair means n. non-violent methods, a peaceable course of action; (later) esp. legitimate or honourable methods.Now chiefly in fair means or foul.
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?1529 R. Hyrde tr. J. L. Vives Instr. Christen Woman i. sig. T.ii./v Loue muste be gotten with fayre meanes, and nat compelled.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxxvj Determining either by force or fayre meanes, to bring their purpose to a conclusion.
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. iv. iv. 105 Ferdinand..thought it his duty to draw, either by fair meanes or foul, all his Subjects to the Roman Catholick Religion.
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 9 Try first by fair means.
1832 R. Lander & J. Lander Jrnl. Exped. Niger I. iii. 160 They..endeavoured to obtain her by fair means.
1896 Eclectic Mag. June 722/1 This feeling [sc. jealousy] gives way quickly to an honest admiration of the victor, and a confession that he has won by fair means.
1922 T. W. Hughes Cases on Criminal Law & Procedure 460 It was..lawful..to induce their customers by fair means to employ the defendants and their friends; but..to do these things by threats and intimidation was a criminal combination.
2003 Sight & Sound Dec. 54/2 How quickly political fortunes turn, by fair means or foul.
fair rent n. the amount of rent which a tenant may reasonably be expected to pay for the use of specified land or property; spec. (in the United Kingdom) that officially determined and registered by a rent office for a particular tenancy.
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society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > hire or rent > rent (land or real property) > [noun] > fair
fair rent1523
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. xlixv/1 Ye kyng made a chapell..and stablysshed certayne chanous ther to serue god and enduyd them with fayre rent.
1642 J. Goodwin Anti-Cavalierisme 30 Men that have a full estate in faire rents..have no occasion to busie themselves in studying the case of usury.
1770 A. Young Rural Oeconomy vii. 270 The variations of the fair rent of arable land may be limited, I think, between 1s. per acre, and 30s.
1886 Act 49 & 50 Vict. c. 29 §6 The landlord or the crofter may apply to the Crofters Commission to fix the fair rent to be paid by such crofter to the landlord for the holding.
a1974 R. Crossman Diaries (1975) I. 263 I had to deal with all the questions about rateable value and with the fair-rent clauses.
2007 Western Morning News (Plymouth) (Nexis) 7 Mar. 16 Tenants will not be deterred from seeking a fair rent or resolving other tenancy issues by the cost of going to a tribunal.
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1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. eijv A grete Roobucke ye call hym not so Bot a fayre Roobucke and a fayre doo.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie 236 You shal say by any Deare, A great Deare, & not A fayre Deare, vnlesse it be a Rowe. The which is called..the fifth yeare a fayre Rowebucke.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 2nd Bk. Wks. xxvi. 168 He was bearing upon his back a faire roe-buck, and all his girdle bordered with hares.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. vii. 132/1 Row Deer, 1 year a Kid, 2 a Girl, 3 a Hemuse, 4 a Row buck of the first head, 5 a fair Row-buck.
fair-shaped adj. (a) having a shape that is attractive, desirable, or fitting; (b) (in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics) designed to minimize drag; streamlined; cf. sense A. 11d.
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1597 G. Markham tr. G. Pétau de Maulette Deuoreux lxii. f. 11 Vnto the faire-shapt body of thys praise Fame adds a head, more beautious, more diuine.
a1637 B. Jonson Fall of Mortimer i. 292 in Wks. (1640) III Let my longing eyes enjoy their feast, And fill of thee; my faire-shap'd, God-like man.
1867 Farmer's Mag. Oct. 353/2 A fair-shaped one [sc. a horse], with better shoulders than many, that the seller wanted £14 for.
1894 Proc. Internat. Conf. Aerial Navigation 249 The usual calculation made for the resistance of a ‘fair-shaped’ body is from 1/10 to 1/20 of the resistance offered by its largest cross section.
1916 Aerial Age Weekly 18 Sept. 16/2 Similar series of experiments have been conducted on struts and fair-shaped wires, as well as on wing forms; while the effect of change of scale on the region of unstable flow has been examined for aerofoils of special type.
1968 Star News (Pasadena, Calif.) 15 May 17/2 The surf was fair shaped at most beaches, but only about two-feet.
2005 O. Darrigol Worlds of Flow vii. 280 He [sc. William Froude] believed that the resistance of any fair-shaped ship was mainly due to skin friction.
fair share n. an equitable or reasonable portion or share of something; (more generally) a good number, a large amount, sometimes implying the amount is excessive or inordinate, esp. in to have (or do, etc.) one's fair share.
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the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > (a) great quantity or amount
felec825
muchc1230
good wone1297
plentyc1300
bushelc1374
sight1390
mickle-whata1393
forcea1400
manynessa1400
multitudea1400
packc1400
a good dealc1430
greata1450
sackful1484
power1489
horseloadc1500
mile1508
lump1523
a deal?1532
peckc1535
heapa1547
mass1566
mass1569
gallon1575
armful1579
cart-load1587
mickle1599
bushelful1600–12
a load1609
wreck1612
parisha1616
herd1618
fair share1650
heapa1661
muchness1674
reams1681
hantle1693
mort1694
doll?1719
lift1755
acre1759
beaucoup1760
ton1770
boxload1795
boatload1807
lot1811
dollop1819
swag1819
faggald1824
screed1826
Niagara1828
wad1828
lashings1829
butt1831
slew1839
ocean1840
any amount (of)1848
rake1851
slather1857
horde1860
torrent1864
sheaf1865
oodlesa1867
dead load1869
scad1869
stack1870
jorum1872
a heap sight1874
firlot1883
oodlings1886
chunka1889
whips1888
God's quantity1895
streetful1901
bag1917
fid1920
fleetful1923
mob1927
bucketload1930
pisspot1944
shitload1954
megaton1957
mob-o-ton1975
gazillion1978
buttload1988
shit ton1991
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [noun]
unhovea1300
passingc1350
distemperancec1374
excess1393
unmeasurea1400
surfeita1500
excessivenessa1513
ametry?1541
immoderation?1541
distemperature1572
exceedingnessa1586
grossness1585
unreasonableness1606
inordinacya1617
excrescency1638
immoderancy1646
fair share1650
overbalance1651
hyperbole1652
overheight1664
immoderacya1682
faggald1824
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine ii. xii. 259 When in the days of Samuel, the seat of justice was annuall for the time, and tripartite for the place, Mizpah had a fair share thereof, Samuel went from year to year, in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah.
1710 S. Clement Faults on Both Sides 11 Themselves may not want a fair share in these Heavenly Privileges.
1808 Edinb. Rev. Jan. 341 This is the production of an honest man, possessed of a fair share of understanding.
1829 Times 3 Aug. 6/1 His ‘Hymns to the Night’, and his ‘Heinrich von Ofterdingen’, a romance, have probably had their fair share of perusal in the reading circles of Germany.
1839 Adventures Attorney in Search of Pract. ii. 26 I cannot help thinking that I have had more than my fair share [of adventures].
1870 W. R. Greg Polit. Probl. 151 He believes (correctly) that his fair share, uncommuted and unadvanced, would be 23s. in good years.
1910 Tech. World Mag. July 487/1 I own that I have done my fair share of this questioning.
1949 Dict. National Biogr. 1931–40 at Avory, Sir Horace Edmund He quickly acquired a leading practice in ‘Crown paper’ matters and had a fair share of briefs at nisi prius.
1991 Sun Herald (Sydney) (Nexis) 22 Sept. (Sport section) 64 We have had our fair share of trouble..but the only thing that is in our minds now is the grand final.
2012 Observer 22 Jan. 41/2 While Americans generally shy away from denigrating those who have earned so much..it doesn't mean they don't believe the rich should pay their fair share.
fair-sized adj. reasonably large; fairly big.
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1800 J. Lawrence New Farmer's Cal. 511 No mutton is equal in richness and flavour to that of a fair-sized sheep, thoroughly fed.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. iv. 60 They were fair-sized rooms..furnished plainly but well.
1916 D. Haig Let. 1 Jan. in War Diaries & Lett. 1914–18 (2005) 178 The formation of a fair sized Reserve, or Fourth Army, becomes a necessity.
2002 H. Ritchie Friday Night Club (2003) i. vi. 51 I've got a fair-sized hangover on the go after a sesh at the Pig and Whistle.
fairskin n. a (relatively) light-skinned person.
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1842 United Service Mag. June 176 A land where dark and fair skins are not even allowed equal privileges of approaching their common Creator.
1901 R. Kipling Kim x. 254 Besides, a Pathan is a fair-skin.
2002 J. F. McDonald Tribe (new ed.) xix. 137 The red-haired fairskins.
fair-skinned adj. having a light complexion.
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1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes i. f. 22v Gregorye behelde them fayre skynned and bewtyfullye faced.
1682 S. Gilbert Florists Vade-mecum 201 With looks like fair-skin'd Thisbe.
1770 J. Cook Voy. & Trav. Russ. Empire II. vii. 96 She stretched out a well formed, fair skinned arm.
1827 G. Higgins Celtic Druids 98 The fair-skinned tribe of martial Germans.
1936 T. Lambert Pioneering Reminisc. Old Wairoa 58 The Tuhoe folk speak of..a smaller, much more gentle, and fair-skinned people called the ‘Patu-pai-arehe’.
2011 Guardian (Nexis) 26 Apr. 17 You shouldn't expose your skin to the sun without protective cream for longer than 20 minutes in summer, especially if you're fair-skinned.
fair territory n. Baseball and Softball the part of the playing area within and including the foul lines (foul line n. 1); cf. fair ground n.2
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1888 Times (Philadelphia) 16 Sept. 16/4 Manager Wright was astonished to see..that John B. Day had laid claim to his idea relative to increasing the fair territory of the ball field by moving the foul lines back.
1992 Economist 3 Oct. 8/3 In baseball, a player must run to first base when the ball is hit into fair territory.
2009 Coaching Softball Techn. & Tactical Skills (Amer. Sport Educ. Program) ii. iii. 45 Any hit ball that contacts the runner in fair territory results in an automatic out.
fair-tongued adj. now rare pleasant and charming of speech; spec. (esp. in early use) using flattery for one's own ends.
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the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective] > of words or manners
fairOE
honeyed1435
glozed1509
fair-tongued1541
fine1568
smoothed1568
smoothinga1592
sugary1591
slicked1594
rose water1598
rose-watered1599
candied1604
soft1609
courtlya1616
smooth-faced1626
oileda1640
blandished1671
sugar1687
fair-spoken1704
smooth-tongued1761
silky1778
pill-gilded1822
blarneyfied1830
greasy1848
blarneyed1861
soothering1866
soothing-syrupy1902
1541 M. Coverdale tr. H. Bullinger Christen State Matrimonye f. ix Whan a wanton and fayre tongued folowe entyceth a damesell from hir mother..what is it els but mene stealinge?
1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 327 There is no man more perilous then a flattering faire tongued man, that speaketh out of a hollow heart.
1761 Hist. Proc. Case Margaret 21 You damned, insidious, fair-tongued villain.
1842 F. W. Faber Styrian Lake 345 He is a fair-tongued knight, and yet The earl speaks fair as he.
1898 Aberdeen Weekly Jrnl. 5 Jan. 2/2 He's maybe been fair-tongued to you, for you've held things till 'im.
2009 R. E. Karl in tr. W. Hui End of Revol. (2011) p. ix Mild-mannered and fair-tongued as Wang Hui is as an individual,..his insistence that history matters..seems to irk his critics in unusual ways.
fair use n. (in U.S. copyright law) the doctrine that excerpts of copyrighted material may, under certain circumstances, be quoted without the permission of the copyright holder for purposes such as private study, research, or criticism; (also) the use of copyrighted material under this doctrine; an instance of this; cf. fair dealing n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > publishing > [noun] > publishing rights
privilege1513
copyright1735
fair use1869
book rights1880
release1904
magazine rights1909
fair dealing1916
permission1945
1821 R. H. Eden Treat. Law Injunctions 282 Lord Eldon directed an action to try whether a work on architecture was original, with a fair use of another work by quotation and compilation.]
1869 Boston Post 29 Oct. [Lawrence v Dana] Nor could he rightfully use the plan and arrangement or the mode by which they are combined with the text, beyond the extent falling within the definition of fair use, which rule is only applicable to the materials, and not to the plan, arrangement and mode of operation.
1875 J. A. Morgan Law of Lit. II. v. 613 Evidence of innocent intention may have a bearing upon the question of ‘fair use’; and where it appeared that the amount taken was small, it would doubtless have some probative force in a court of equity.
1940 Amer. Sociol. Rev. 5 234 I believe the court rulings on ‘fair use’ would cover a very large percentage of the quotations and citations used in scholarly works.
2006 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 30 Nov. 69/3 Its actions fall under the rubric of fair use because it will only show ‘snippets’ of the work to searchers. ‘Snippet’ is Googletalk, not a legal term.
fair-walling n. Building (chiefly English regional (Lincolnshire)) the smooth, well-finished wall above the rougher foundations of a building.
ΚΠ
1843 John Bull 30 Dec. The first step to drying a Church is to remove the Church-yard bodily down to its original level as indicated by the cessation of the fair walling and the beginning of the rough foundation.
1886 R. E. G. Cole Gloss. Words S.-W. Lincs. Fair-walling, the level, smoothly-built masonry or brickwork above the roughly-built foundations.
1995 J. M. Sims-Kimbrey Wodds & Doggerybaw: Lincs. Dial. Dict. Fair-walling, the visible wall above the foundations which is smoother and better finished than the rough cement-work of that below ground.
fair-weathered adj. (a) that (consistently) has good weather; (b) chiefly U.S. dependable only in favourable circumstances; = fair-weather adj. 3.
ΚΠ
1608 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World 642 The countrey [sc. Brazil]..is all pleasant, faire weathered, and exceeding healthfull.
1755 London Mag. Feb. 84/1 The fair-weather'd fop fond of fashion and dress.
1841 J. F. Cooper Deerslayer (ed. 2) I. v. 122 I see..I can only count on you as a fair-weathered friend.
1907 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 31 Mar. 10/5 This week was, for the most part, fair-weathered.
1999 Amer. Cowboy Mar. 26/1 The herd of fair-weathered pessimists hopped onto the ‘Bye-Ty’ bandwagon.
2011 J. L. Krintz Recondo Beach Pier 7 More and more people traveled across the country to settle in the bucolic, fair-weathered landscape and climate of Southern California.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun]
selthc888
healc950
wealOE
goder-heala1225
prosperity?c1225
wealtha1300
statec1300
healtha1325
welfare1357
theedom1362
wealfulnessc1374
bonchiefa1387
felicity1393
boota1400
wella1400
wealsc1400
well-doingc1440
prosperancea1460
happiness?1473
quartfulness1483
brightnessa1500
goodnessa1500
sonsea1500
thriftiness?1529
prosperation1543
well-being1561
prosperousness1600
fair world1641
thrivingness1818
goldenness1829
palminess1875
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 22 They think it was never faire world with them since that time.
c. In the names of plants. Chiefly British regional. Cf. fair maid n.† fair-grass n. Obsolete either of two plants of grassy habitats, silverweed, Potentilla anserina (cf. fair days n.), and bulbous buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus.
fair days n. now rare silverweed, Potentilla anserina.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > rosaceous plants > [noun] > potentilla or cinquefoil
quinquefoileOE
five-leafc1000
goose-grassa1400
camorochec1440
five-leaved grass1526
tansyc1530
cinquefoil1538
potentilla1548
five-fingered grass1562
agrimony1578
silverweed1578
goose-tansy1597
silver grass1600
silverwort1611
five-finger-grass1640
midsummer silvera1697
strawberry cinquefoil1753
Scotch cinquefoil1789
goose-weed1865
five-finger1866
fair days1884
fair-grass1884
potentil1884
1884 W. Miller Dict. Eng. Names Plants 42/2 Fair Grass, or Fair Days, Potentilla anserina.
1920 W. E. Brenchley Weeds of Farm Land xiii. 220 Potentilla anserina, L.—Argentina, argentine, blithran, buttercup, camoroche, fair days, fair-grass, [etc.]
1947 O. Percival Our Old-fashioned Flowers 85 Potentilla anserina, Fair Days, Prince's Feather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > buttercup and allied flowers > allied flowers
githa1382
nigellaa1398
gollana1400
pilewort?a1425
gold-knop1538
fig-wort1548
lucken gowan1548
melanthion1559
gold crap1571
bachelor's buttons1578
celandine1578
gold cup1578
Goldilocks1578
nigel1578
nigelweed1578
troll flower1578
peppergrass1587
golden cup1589
globe crowfoot1597
globeflower1597
winter aconite1597
kiss-me-twice-before-I-rise1664
devil-in-a-bush1722
globe ranunculus1731
turban1760
love-in-a-mist1787
love-in-a-puzzle1824
fair-grass1825
water buttercup1831
golden knobs1835
ficary1848
New Year's gift1856
bishop wort1863
fennel-flower1863
golden ball1875
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > rosaceous plants > [noun] > potentilla or cinquefoil
quinquefoileOE
five-leafc1000
goose-grassa1400
camorochec1440
five-leaved grass1526
tansyc1530
cinquefoil1538
potentilla1548
five-fingered grass1562
agrimony1578
silverweed1578
goose-tansy1597
silver grass1600
silverwort1611
five-finger-grass1640
midsummer silvera1697
strawberry cinquefoil1753
Scotch cinquefoil1789
goose-weed1865
five-finger1866
fair days1884
fair-grass1884
potentil1884
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Fair-grass, Bulbous crowfoot, or Buttercups, Ranunculus bulbosus.
1884 W. Miller Dict. Eng. Names Plants 42/2 Fair Grass, or Fair Days, Potentilla anserina.
1920 W. E. Brenchley Weeds of Farm Land xiii. 220 Potentilla anserina, L.—Argentina, argentine, blithran, buttercup, camoroche, fair days, fair-grass, [etc.]
fair-in-sight n. rare any of several campanulas (genus Campanula) having showy blue flowers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > bellflowers
bell-flower1578
bluebell1578
Canterbury bells1578
Coventry bells1578
Coventry Marians1578
Coventry rapes1578
fair-in-sight1578
gauntlet1578
haskwort1578
Marian's violet1578
throatwort1578
lady's looking glass1597
mariet1597
Mercury's violet1597
peach-bells1597
steeple bells1597
uvula-wort1597
Venus looking-glass1597
campanula1664
Spanish bell1664
corn-violet1665
rampion1688
Venus' glass1728
harebell1767
heath-bell1805
witch bell1808
slipperwort1813
meadow-bell1827
greygle1844
platycodon1844
lady's thimble1853
kikyo1884
witches' bells1884
balloon flower1901
fairy thimble1914
mountain bell1923
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball ii. xxiii. 175 These floures [sc. blew belles] be now called Fayre in sight.
1886 J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names 172 Fair-in-sight. Campanula patula, L.
1941 National Hort. Mag. 20 163/2 Campanula patula, called Spreading Bellflower, Wood Bellflower and poetically Fair-in-sight.
C2. Instrumental compounds of the noun.† fair-enamoured adj. Obsolete charmed by or in love with a beautiful woman (or thing personified).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > [adjective] > drunk on beauty
fair-enamoured1622
1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xxviii. 147 Shee Beuerley salutes, whose beauties so delight The fayre-enamoured Flood, [etc.].
1688 J. N. in Poet. Recreations ii. 32 You, as of old the Fair Enamour'd Boy, Languish for those feign'd Beauties you descry.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
fairv.
/fɛː/, U.S. /fɛ(ə)r/α. Old English fægerian, Old English fægrian, Old English ferian, late Old English fæireð (plural present indicative), early Middle English fæire, early Middle English fairhe, early Middle English feire, Middle English faire, Middle English–1500s fayre, 1600s– fair.
β. Middle English uayre.
a. intransitive. To become or grow beautiful; to appear attractive. Obsolete.Quot. OE has sometimes been alternatively interpreted as showing a transitive verb (in sense 1b) with bearwas as subject and byrig as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > be or become beautiful [verb (intransitive)]
fairOE
bloomc1175
beautify1559
OE Seafarer 48 Bearwas blostmum nimað, byrig fægriað, wongas wlitigað [perh. read wlitigiað], woruld onetteð.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 95 (MED) Þis trau greneþ and uayreþ be his uirtue.
a1375 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 65 (MED) Al oþer loue is lych þe mone þat wext and wanet as flour in plein, as flour þat fayret and fawyt sone.
c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 2899 Mery it is in sonnes risynge..Wayes faireþ.
b. transitive. To make beautiful or attractive; to decorate, adorn, embellish (literal and figurative). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)]
fairOE
highta1200
embellishc1385
beautifyc1425
decore1490
beauty1495
embeauty1523
decorate1530
fashion1557
busk1573
gracify?1578
embrave1579
handsome1592
pulchrify1797
orchidize1872
lovelify1935
bellify-
bellish-
OE [see faired adj. at Derivatives].
lOE Homily: Evangelium de Virginibus (Corpus Cambr. 303) in H. L. C. Tristram Vier Altenglische Predigten aus der Heterodoxen Trad. (Ph.D. diss., Freiburg) (1970) 445 Eadige beoð þa men þe drihten fint wacigende... Eale, hwilce synde þa buton þa þe fæireð heora rihte geleafe mid gode weorcan.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 53 Þus heo doð for to feiren heom seoluen.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 233 (MED) Þise zix leues..uayreþ moche þe lylye of maydenhod.
c1390 Castle of Love (Vernon) (1967) l. 876 [Þe sonne of rihtwysnesse]..feirede hir more a þousend folde.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 69 Faire doughtres..holde it in youre herte that ye putte no thinge to..fayre youre uisages.
1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 101 (MED) Marian hath..All the whole substaunce..with rethorike termes fayred.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets cxxvii. sig. H3 Fairing the foule with Arts faulse borrow'd face. View more context for this quotation
ΚΠ
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 107 (MED) Þane gost of wysdom, be huam bi we zuo yclensed ase gold and yuayred of alle uelþe.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 200 (MED) Þis knawynge nis bote in inwyt wel yuayred and wel yclenzed.
3. intransitive. Of the weather: to become fine, bright, or calm; to clear up. Frequently with away, off, up. In later use chiefly U.S. regional (chiefly southern and south Midland), Scottish, and English regional (northern).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > become fine
fair1635
settle1719
fine1883
1635 L. Foxe North-west Fox sig. Ff4 Wee had last night, and especially this morning a whole storme, the afternoon it faired.
1662 T. Allin Jrnl. 20 Aug. (1939) (modernized text) I. 96 The weather faired about 4 o'clock.
1715 J. Fontaine Jrnl. 2 Apr. (1972) 73 Wind from W by N to N W. Faired somewhat about 12 at night and we unreeved our mainsail and set it.
1771 I. Fletcher Diary 2 June (1994) 236 A wet day; did not go to Meeting. Faired a little in the afternoon.
1836 E. L. Willson Diary 29 May in Journ. New Jersey to Ohio (1929) It was still rainy; towards night it faired away.
1859 in J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) 425 He..moved to the North, and whenever he see a fog risin', took to his bed, and kept it till it fair'd off.
1878 R. L. Stevenson Inland Voy. 177 The afternoon faired up.
1891 M. M. Dowie Girl in Karpathians 148 When it rained he turned the furry side out..when it faired, he..reversed it.
1923 W. Stevens Let. 30 Jan. (1967) 233 Later in the morning it faired off, as they say.
1958 I. H. Finlay Sea-bed 10 In the afternoon it faired up, and I was let take my rod from the shed.
2007 L. Griffin Seth Davis vi. 76 Seth figured he was about due for a change,..deciding to hold up until the weather faired once again.
4. transitive (also intransitive). To smooth the lines of (a ship, aircraft, or motor vehicle), in order to reduce drag, to streamline; to smooth (lines) for this purpose. Also with back, over. Also: (frequently with in) to incorporate or alter (a part) to fit with the smooth lines of a vehicle, etc. Also in extended use. Cf. fair adj. 11d. fairing n.2
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > build a ship [verb (transitive)] > give a certain mould to
mould1576
fair1822
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > construction and servicing aircraft or spacecraft > construct and service aircraft or spacecraft [verb (transitive)] > make streamlined
streamline1918
clean1922
fair1934
laminarize1961
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > testing, servicing, and storage of motor vehicles > test, service and store motor vehicles [verb (transitive)] > make aerodynamically efficient
fair1959
1822 J. Fincham Direct. Laying off Ships 20 The level lines in the half-breadth plan were produced without any guide abaft the after timber, and faired only by the eye.
1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding viii. 154 The ship is faired by means of ribands and cross-spalls.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 208/1 The frames..then can be faired with ease.
1913 C. W. Dyson Screw Propellers I. xiv. 133 The [propeller] tip is then fined down to a very small radius, about ¼ inch at the tip and faired back to about 5 inches from the edge of the blade.
1922 Encycl. Brit. XXX. 21/1 To reduce resistance, exposed parts may be ‘faired’.
1934 Flight 25 Jan. 78 Now that we are familiar with metal monocoque fuselages..it is worth the trouble to fair the lines properly.
1934 Pop. Aviation Nov. 312/1 It was a monoplane with a wing, which faired back into a fantail.
1947 Pop. Sci. Sept. 150/1 Air intake ducts were modified to cut external and internal drag, windshield and canopy were cut down, and gun ports were faired over to improve aerodynamic cleanness.
1959 Motor 2 Sept. 97/2 Chassis members have been faired in.
1959 B. G. D. Salt in J. Halas & R. Manvell Technique Film Animation 319 Movements in animation are generally ‘faired’. This means that the movement in question is smoothly blended with its neighbours, no abrupt change taking place.
1973 T. McGuane Ninety-two in Shade (1974) 80 Now gunwales. Average width about seven inches, faired back from the forward casting deck to the live-well lids.
1990 Airframe Dec. 37/3 The port for the cannon normally housed below the port side of the cockpit was faired over and the weapon removed.
2004 M. Naujok Fitting Out Your Boat 155 Any remaining bit can be faired in with sandpaper.
Derivatives
faired adj. †(a) adorned, made beautiful (obsolete); (b) that has been made smooth; that has been faired (sense 4); also with in.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > qualities and parameters of aircraft > [adjective] > streamlined
clean1916
faired2000
OE Aldhelm Glosses (Brussels 1650) in L. Goossens Old Eng. Glosses of MS Brussels, Royal Libr. 1650 (1974) 478 Falerata venustate : fægeredre wynsum[nysse], cyrte[nysse].
1874 S. J. P. Thearle Naval Archit. (new ed.) I. vi. 102 This level line at knuckle, generally termed the ‘knuckle level’, can be copied from the faired body plan.
1893 D. W. Taylor Resistance of Ships & Screw Propulsion iv. 126 The next step then is to spot the quantities of lines 32 and 34 above their proper speeds, and draw through the spots fair average curves... Then from the fair curves new faired values of e16 for b = 0 and b = .5 are entered in lines 35 and 36.
1963 Times 15 Jan. 12/2 The faired-in headlamps.
2000 Flying Aug. 88/1 The airplane rides nicely on the ground, with it's [sic] oleo strut nosewheel and slickly faired tubular main gear.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
fairadv.
/fɛː/, U.S. /fɛ(ə)r/α. Old English fæger, Old English fægere, Old English fægre, Old English fegere, Old English fegre, late Old English feagre, early Middle English fæire, early Middle English faȝȝre ( Ormulum), Middle English fayere, Middle English fayr, Middle English feir, Middle English feire, Middle English ffayre, Middle English–1500s feyre, Middle English–1600s faire, Middle English–1600s fayre, Middle English– fair, 1500s (1800s– English regional (northern)) fare, 1600s faier, 1600s ffaire, 1800s feear (English regional (Cornwall)); Scottish pre-1700 far, pre-1700 fare, pre-1700 fayr, pre-1700 fear, pre-1700 1700s– fair.
β. southern early Middle English uæire, Middle English uayre, Middle English vayre, Middle English 1600s vaire, 1600s vair.
In many senses having an equivalent or near equivalent at fairly adv.† 3. In a proper or suitable manner; appropriately, fittingly. Obsolete.
1. Beautifully, finely; †nobly (obsolete). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adverb]
lieflyc900
merelyeOE
fairOE
lovelya1375
featously1377
belliche1394
finelya1400
buttylly1496
lovelilya1500
well-favouredly1528
beautifully1538
beauteously1592
bonnily1595
love-likely1621
bonny1650
beautiful1767
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > [adverb]
fairOE
likinglya1387
savourlya1398
comfortably1398
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adverb] > brightly
brighteOE
lightOE
shireOE
fairOE
brightlyOE
sheen?c1225
shirelyc1230
sheenly1340
clearlya1375
shininglyc1384
clearc1385
cleana1400
shrillc1400
enclerea1440
lucidentlyc1508
sheerly1508
splendently1576
shiny1596
nitently1657
society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > [adverb] > high-mindedly or magnanimously
fairc1400
generously1591
magnanimously1602
noblewisea1618
high-mindedly1819
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 2nd Ser. (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xxxi. 268 Furðon Salomon on eallum his wuldre, næs swa fægere ymscryd, swa swa lilian beoð.
OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 228 Pulchre cantat, fægere he singð.
OE Christ & Satan 307 Soðfæste men, sunnan gelice, fægre gefrætewod in heora fæder rice scinað in sceldbyrig.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12323 Alle þa þeines, alle þa sweines, feire iscrudde.
a1333 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 28 What ys he, þys lordling þat cometh..So vayre y-coyntised, so semlich in syht?
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xviii. l. 68 Some seyde þat he was goddes sone þat so faire deyde.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 424 (MED) Amon..asselis it him selfe semely & faire With a rede golde rynge.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 62v The Latin tong did faire blome.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 5 So faire he bare his age, as I tooke him to be scarse fiftie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 90 All the pictures fairest Linde, are but blacke to Rosalinde. View more context for this quotation
1691 Hutcheson's 45 Serm. on CXXX Psalm xix. 212 Temporaries, that blossom fair for a time, may totally and finally fall away.
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) i. 3 Spread out his boughs and flourish fair.
1816 P. B. Shelley Alastor 32 Some inconstant star Between one foliaged lattice twinkling fair.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Day-dream in Poems (new ed.) II. 150 The maid-of-honour blooming fair.
1922 ‘R. West’ Judge ii. vii. 400 She must be schooled by the spectacle of the earth, for here it was shining fair.
2.
a. Civilly, courteously; with kindness or respect. Frequently (in later use only) in to speak fair, to speak (a person) fair (also figurative). Now rare.See also to greet (a person) fair at greet v.1 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adverb]
welleOE
fairOE
methelyOE
menskly?c1225
hendilyc1275
hendlyc1275
courteouslyc1290
bonairc1330
bonairly1340
goodly1372
debonairlya1375
henda1375
kindlya1375
fairlyc1480
humanelya1500
handsomely1542
civilly1552
gallantly1611
civil1642
politely1748
nicely1864
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > be courteous to [verb (transitive)] > address courteously
to speak (a person) faira1400
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) iv. 96 Utan geðencan hu glædlice & hu wynsumlice & hu fægre & hu mildlice heo sprycð, sio sawl, to hire lichaman.
OE Genesis A (1931) 2353 Him þa fægere frea ælmihtig, ece drihten, andswarode.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 53 Þis faȝe folc..speket..feire bi-foren heore euencristene.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2417 Wha-swa oðerne imette þer fæire [c1300 Otho faire] hine igrætte.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 2007 Morice þuder com, & vaire was vnderfonge.
c1350 How Good Wife taught her Daughter (Emmanuel) (1948) l. 69 (MED) Al is noȝt trewe þat faire speket.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 6836 Speke ham faire wiþ þi mouþe.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5346 Þar come a monke and prayde him faire.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 302 This mychty persone..Welcwmmyt thaim fair.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) xxix. sig. Evi They that speaketh fayre, fayre shal here agayne.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 186 So faire an offer'd Chaine. View more context for this quotation
1670 J. Dryden Tyrannick Love iv. i. 35 Heav'n speaks me fair.
1695 W. Congreve Love for Love iii. i. 44 I spoke you fair d'ee see, and civil.
1713 E. Ward Hist. Grand Rebellion I. 137 The poor Criminal who stands arraign'd, Believes the Judge that speaks him fair, his Friend.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa II. xxxviii. 265 Yet, he offers so fair!
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian viii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 166 The work-people..spake him soft and fair.
1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner i. 10 He was worth speaking fair, if it was only to keep him from doing you a mischief.
1879 J. Ormsby tr. Poem of Cid 116 False, foul-mouthed knave,..Whose heart is plotting mischief when thy lips are speaking fair.
1937 Boys' Life Feb. 6/3 Be calm, speak the questioner fair, use as much fact in your replies as you can.
b. On good or friendly terms. Frequently in to keep fair with. Now rare (somewhat archaic in later use).
ΚΠ
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 2750 He..twynnes with þaim faire.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 196 Tap for tap, and so part faire . View more context for this quotation
1641 E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 25 His Majestie..will certainly part fayre with this people.
1672 C. Lyttelton Let. 22 Feb. in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 80 The Spaniard and wee shall still continue faire together.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite ii, in Fables 31 Fair they parted till the Morrows Dawn.
1715 London Gaz. No. 5332/1 To keep fair with the Persian Court.
1770 T. Percy tr. P. H. Mallet Northern Antiq. I. i. 18 They are neither quarrelsome, nor mischievous, nor warlike; being greatly afraid of those that are; and they keep fair with the Europeans from this motive.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. xiii. 304 We must keep fair with him.
1866 M. Lemon Falkner Lyle I. ix. 243 We parted fair—well, good friends, I may say.
1920 T. N. Page Italy & World War viii. 104 He believed firmly in the Triple Alliance as the sheet-anchor of Italy's foreign policy; but desired at the same time to keep fair with England and France.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > fittingly or properly
welleOE
fairOE
meetlyOE
rightOE
worthlylOE
haghelyc1175
worthilyc1175
becomelyc1200
properly?c1225
i-semelichec1275
thriftilyc1374
duly1382
sittinglyc1390
justlyc1392
rightfula1400
goodlyc1400
hemelyc1400
meeta1450
statelya1450
ensuingly?1518
handsomely1525
worshipfully1532
decently1552
due1581
meeterly1589
fairly1600
beseemingly1611
dightly1616
becomingly1624
befittingly1638
fittinglya1643
condecently1656
OE Maxims I 5 God sceal mon ærest hergan fægre, fæder userne, forþon þe he us æt frymþe geteode lif ond lænne willan.
OE Wulfstan Institutes of Polity (Junius) 116 Hi..gesettan þa þæs to swutelunge þone mæssancredan..and cyricþenunga heo fægere gedihtan.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1215 Haȝherrlike ledesst te. & dafftelike. & faȝȝre.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 9165 Þe bones hii bere..to þe abbeye of redinge, & bured is þere vaire inou, as vel to an kinge.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 10448 Leue þi bere Cloþe þe feire.
?a1425 Constit. Masonry (Royal 17 A.i) l. 608 in J. O. Halliwell Early Hist. Freemasonry in Eng. (1844) 34 Knele down fayre on bothe thy knen.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) Prol. 11 Whiche fayre and swetely chastysed her doughters.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccix. 467 Fayre fared, quoth the constable, we are nat in mynde to do to our enemys so moche auantage.
1544 J. Bale Brefe Chron. Syr J. Oldcastell in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 271 Bury them [sc. images] fayre in the ground.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) i. f. 10 To ride faire, is most cumelie for him selfe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iv. vi. 124 You haue crafted faire . View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour v. ii. 66 Stand fair, and let my Heart-blood on thee flow.
4. With justice or fairness; honestly, impartially; in accordance with what is right, honourable, or legitimate. Cf. fair and square adv. 1.to play fair, to start fair, etc.: see the verbs.fairly is now the more common term.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [adverb] > fairly or equitably
evenlylOE
fairOE
egallyc1374
upright1509
equally1526
honestly1526
uprightly1549
squarely1564
square1577
candidly1646
equitably1663
fairly1676
equably1839
OE Maxims II 56 A sceal snotor hycgean ymb þysse worulde gewinn, wearh hangian, fægere ongildan þæt he ær facen dyde manna cynne.
OE Paris Psalter (1932) cxxxiv.14 Forþon his folc demeð fægere drihten [L. iudicavit dominus], and he bið on his esnum agenum frefriend.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 224 Al was youen, faire and wel.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 325 Þat alle þi frendes fordedes faire schalstow quite.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 294 A wyȝe..Ful redy and ful ryȝtwys, and rewled hym fayre.
1584 W. Warner Pan his Syrinx xxxvii. sig. O4 Wherefore (sillie soules) plaie they, faire or play they foule seeing themselues alike suspected.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 142 Heauen shield my Mother plaid my Father faire . View more context for this quotation
1680 T. Otway Orphan ii. 22 I can never think you meant me fair.
1718 M. Prior Alma iii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 370 Fight fair, Sir: what I never meant Don't You infer.
1763 St. James's Mag. Feb. 382 Read their works, examine fair.
1825 Edinb. Dramatic Rev. 20 Jan. 211 No one..who judges fair, can blame Mr Murray for supposing that all was quite correct.
1885 North Star 1 July 3/2 Lord Randolph..has ever hit fair.
1908 Munsey's Mag. Feb. 643/1 If I'm goin' to be the oldest man in town, I'll do it fair.
2005 L. Wolfe Nat. Select. x. 90 Hey, you're not fighting fair.
5. † b. With moderation; to a moderate degree; lightly, reasonably. Obsolete.Chiefly with reference to cooking.
a. Without excessive haste or force; steadily, carefully; gently. Frequently in conjunction with other adverbs, esp. (and in later use only) in fair and softly.Also in proverb fair and softly goes far.soft and fair, to swim fair: see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without harshness or gently
lightlyeOE
neshlyeOE
fairOE
neshc1175
softlyc1225
softa1325
hoolya1340
tenderlyc1385
soft and fair(ly)c1391
weakly1398
delicately?a1425
prettilyc1500
gently1533
gentle1548
breathingly1662
blandly1827
sparingly1863
piano1873
gauzily1903
creamily1948
OE Aldhelm Glosses (Brussels 1650) in L. Goossens Old Eng. Glosses of MS Brussels, Royal Libr. 1650 (1974) 341 Pedetemtim : parum & parum, fægre.
c1200 (?OE) Grave (1890) l. 25 Al bið ðes faxes feirnes forsceden; Næle hit nan mit fingres feire stracien.
a1350 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Harl.) l. 125 in K. Böddeker Altengl. Dichtungen (1878) 293 When þe coppe is follest, þenne ber hire feyrest, Quoþ Hendyng.
c1450 tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Lyfe Manhode (Cambr.) (1869) 71 If thei [sc. the arms] ben hevy, go faire.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xviii. 22 The oste..rode fayre and easely all the daye.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Fayre and..softlye, suspenso gradu.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie xiii. 32 Let them couple them vp agayne fayre and gently: for if one do roughly handle a young hound at the firste couplyng, he will not easily come agayne to the couplyng.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 267 The prouerbe is old and true, faire and softly goeth far.
1622 S. Ward Life of Faith in Death 63 Somtimes hee followes faire and a farre off, lingers aloofe and out of sight.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. xxiii. 108 He returned fair and softly.
1717 Considerations Present State Great Brit. 31 King Charles..was for going fair and softly.
1782 W. Cowper John Gilpin 85 So fair and softly, John he cried.
1804 M. Edgeworth Will ix, in Pop. Tales I. 228 Fair and softly goes far in a day.
1895 J. Baldwin Horse Fair 355 ‘Go fair and softly, please’, said John; ‘I 'm sure there is no hurry’.
1915 D. H. Lawrence Rainbow v. 130 ‘Fair and softly does it,’ cried his aunt... ‘You don't want to fall over yourself,’ said his uncle.
2003 Ledger (Lakeland, Florida) (Nexis) 4 Sept. f4 ‘Fair and softly goes far’, bridge players.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > moderateness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb]
meetlyOE
better?c1225
measurelyc1350
renablyc1350
measurablya1382
skilfullya1387
meanlya1398
moderatelya1398
temperately1398
reasonablyc1400
faira1413
mean1535
competently1541
meanably1577
tarblish1842
mediumly1852
quite1854
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) v. l. 347 Þey take it wysly faire and softe.
c1450 in T. Austin Two 15th-cent. Cookery-bks. (1888) 71 (MED) Leche it faire, but not to thyn.
c1560 J. Lacy Wyl Bucke his Test. (Copland) sig. B.iiiv Put him on a smal spitte and roste him faire.
6.
a. With indication of future success or achievement; promisingly, auspiciously; favourably. Now chiefly in to bid fair at bid v.1 4, to promise fair (see promise v. 5).In later use chiefly with for or infinitive, indicating what is likely to occur or be the case.to put fair, to stand fair: see the verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adverb] > in an auspicious manner
fair?a1160
ominously1598
auspiciously1619
benignly1645
unominously1824
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > an omen, sign, portent > [adverb] > in a promising manner
fair?a1160
auspiciously1619
?a1160 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1154 He..[nu is] abbot & fa [ir] haued begunnon.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Royal) l. 509 Ferden alle martirs feire [c1225 Bodl. wið murhðe] to criste.
?a1300 Iacob & Iosep (Bodl.) (1916) l. 467 (MED) Feire fareþ þis ȝunge men..Into Egipte lond.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 27 Þe haþel clene of his hert hapnez ful fayre, For he schal loke on oure Lorde wyth a bone chere.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. xi. sig. Zv Fayre mote he thee.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 v. v. 44 Since this businesse so faire is done. View more context for this quotation
1677 R. Allestree Disc. concerning Period Humane Life 77 The next thing I premised was to lay down the two common opinions that offer fair for removing the difficulty.
1789 D. Rittenhouse tr. G. E. Lessing Lucy Sampson iv. v. 59 The beginning promises fair, and Mellefont seems inclined to become still more secure.
1834 Niles' Reg. 19 July 349/2 I have just seen and examined the model of a rail road car..which offers fair to render travelling and transportation over inclined planes entirely free from danger.
1906 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 6 614 A nurse's neatness promises fair for her surgical cleanliness.
1985 C. McCarthy Blood Meridian (1992) ix. 124 Morning, said Toadvine. Looks fair to clear.
b. With impersonal verbs used optatively. Now archaic and rare.Later examples of fair befall, fair fall may be interpreted as showing the noun (see fair n.1 2a, esp. quot. c1500; cf. also foul n. 1a). See also befall v. 4e, fall v. Phrases 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [adverb] > fortunately or luckily
happilya1375
graciouslya1382
blessedlyc1420
happenlyc1450
faira1475
luckly1538
fortunately1548
fortunably?1567
luckily1590
providently1600
comiclya1633
providentially1648
comically1717
well-favouredly1773
serendipitously1969
good-enough1982
a1475 J. Russell Bk. Nurture (Harl. 4011) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 140 Now fayre befalle yow fadur, & welle must ye cheve.
1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell sig. A.ij Faire fall that forster that so well can bate his hownde.
1593 G. Peele Famous Chron. King Edward the First sig. B3v Pax vobis, pax vobis, good fellowes faire fall yee.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iii. i. 43 Faire be to you my Lord. View more context for this quotation
1655 R. Baxter Quakers Catech. 10 Fair fall the honest humble Christian that will confesse with Paul that we know but in part.
1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 10 Fair chieve you, I wish you good luck.
1753 R. Glover Boadicia v. 65 He hath done nobly. Fair befal his urn.
1867 J. Ingelow Gladys 306 O rare, The island! fair befall the island.
1911 E. Knoblock Kismet i. ii. 31 Fair befall thee, O Youth! Art thou from Baghdad?
7.
a. With reference to position or place: exactly, precisely; right; squarely. With in, on, upon. Now rare except as implied in fair and square adv. 2.In quot. c1225 with reference to time.
ΚΠ
c1225 (?OE) Soul's Addr. to Body (Worcester) (Fragm. G) l. 30 Nis hit non sellic þauh ic segge of boken.., for ic was ilered of mine leoue fæder feire on frumþe ær [ic to]ferde.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1913 Faire on þer tvo fet þei ferde vp-on niȝtes.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2229 Fayre on his fote he foundeȝ on þe erþe.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 126 He cam to Thebes and alighte Faire in a feeld ther as he thoghte to fighte.
?1570 T. Preston Lamentable Trag. Cambises sig. C.iijv Clenly maister Ambidexter, for fair on the ground they lye.
1609 J. Davies Holy Roode sig. F3v This holy Crosse is the true Tutament..; And though Disasters face be truculent, Yet will this Engine set it faire in frame.
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche viii. 237/2 He Was once set fair and sure upon his Cross, As the full Mark at which all Scoffs might be Directly aim'd.
1865 Dewsbre Olmenac 10, in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1900) II. 282/2 They set a table fair it taan gate.
1895 A. S. Swan Gates Eden xxi. She sat down fair in front of him.
1910 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Nov. 553 He struck fair on his feet on the very rail of the Wisp.
b. With reference to motion: directly, in a straight line; (with reference to a point of the compass) due. Chiefly Scottish and English regional (northern) in later use. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > a straight course > [adverb]
forth847
righteOE
forthrighta1000
rightlyOE
anonOE
evenc1300
even-forthc1300
straight13..
streck13..
gainc1330
streckly1340
right fortha1382
straightly1395
evenly?c1400
outrightc1400
straightway1461
endlong1470
fair1490
directly1513
fulla1529
forth on1529
straightforth1530
directedly1539
aright?a1560
direct1568
endways1575
point-blank1607
progressivelya1716
unswervingly1805
straightforward1809
undeviatingly1812
undeviously1813
slap1829
arrow-straight1831
the world > space > direction > [adverb] > straight or due > straight or in a straight line
straightly1395
line-rightc1400
evenlonga1475
fair1490
straight1535
lineally1536
point-blank1607
straightwards1644
straightish1683
rectilinearly1729
straightways1772
linearly1881
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xx. 449 Reynawd..wente fayr vpon the folke of charlemagne.
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes (new ed.) f. 94v The hauke may check, that now comes fair to fiist [1559 fist].
1604 C. Edmondes Observ. Cæsars Comm. II. vii. xv. 81 An enemie is as much troubled at such arrows as come faire vpon him and do not hit, as at those that do hit.
1625 J. Tatton in S. Purchas Pilgrimes I. iii. xv. 329 We..came in faire by the point in fifteene, fourteene, and thirteene fathoms.
1702 Glorious Life & Heroick Actions Prince William III. 42 On the 5th of November the whole Fleet came fair into Torbay, and some of the Forces immediately Landed.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 251 We stood away fair West.
1832 W. Scott Poems Buchan Dial. 112 He looks fair forth without a squint.
1867 J. Greenwood Humphrey Dyot II. xii. 198 So obligingly walking fair into my arms when I might have had some little difficulty in finding you if you had stayed at home.
1935 D. Rorie Lum Hat 29 Haud fair up throw the plantin' on your left.
c. With reference to a blow, etc.: directly on target; full, ‘clean’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > [adverb] > direct
fair1640
1640 N. Richards Trag. Messallina sig. D3 Ther's too much man in me To feare so sleight a scratch; let it come, I will no budg a foote; strike faire and home.
1693 F. Brooks Barbarian Cruelty 100 We met with a Lion lying by the Way-side; which the Moor seeing, before he roused, he struck him fair over the Head.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. iv. 97 Striking his antagonist fair upon the breast.
1891 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 150 651/2 A living catapult, that if he took you fair, would knock the life out of you.
1922 Century July 466/1 I hit him fair and knocked him ten feet.
1966 in Dict. Amer. Regional Eng. (1985) I. 335/2 They didn't strike it fair and it took them round it.
2012 R. Penshorn in Can you believe It (Arts Alliance Pine Rivers) 174 She punched him fair in the face and he fell back onto the floor.
8.
a. Adequately, well enough. Frequently with enough.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb]
enougheOE
well enoughOE
enowc1300
fairc1300
suffisantlya1340
enoughly1340
meeta1350
sufficientlyc1380
duly1393
competentlyc1440
sufficient1509
'nougha1618
adequately1639
nuff1778
sufficingly1821
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 930 (MED) Þo hauede hauelok fayre geten.
a1325 (c1280) Southern Passion (Pepys 2344) (1927) l. 141 (MED) He sey a ffyger by þe weye, yleueod ffayre ynow.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 366 (MED) Alle oþer frely felawes þat þou faire knowes.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Cook's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 22 In the town nas ther no Prentys That fairer koude caste a paire of dys Than Perkyn koude.
1613 W. Cowper Seuen Dayes Conf. sig. A6v You speake faire enough to it, be as it will.
1872 Ann. Rep. Iowa State Horticulrual Soc. 1871 87 The apple crop was rather light in this part of the country, though some orchards did fair.
1930 Charleston (W. Va.) Gaz. 13 Jan. 7/3 Geary shot first and rolled on the green within three inches of the cup. The other two did fair enough.
1960 Amer. Christmas Tree Growers Jrnl. Feb. 35/1 From the retailers standpoint the old established operators did fair but the newcomers are still licking their wounds.
1970 Southerly 30 17 She can cook fair enough, nothing brilliant, but everything digestible.
2009 B. MacDonald Wicked Will 110 He was a youngish man, dark-haired and dark of face, like a foreigner, though the tongue in his head spoke English fair enough.
b. Completely, fully; thoroughly. Also as an intensifier. Cf. clean adv. 5. Now chiefly colloquial and regional.fair dinkum: see dinkum adj. 1b
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > completely, quite, or absolutely
faira1325
quitec1330
full outa1382
straightly1395
absolutely?a1425
quitementa1450
rightc1450
twighta1500
cleara1522
plain1535
flat1577
sincerely1583
clever1664
cleverly1696
sublimely1722
square1862
quaite1864
fucking A1960
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2393 Iosep wel faire him vnder-stod.
a1400 (?c1300) Amis & Amiloun (Egerton) (1937) l. 2400 (MED) To-morrow shal þey beryed bee As þey faire ded ware.
1458 A. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 41 I had leuer he were fayr beryed than lost fore defaute.
1567 T. Stapleton Counterblast ii. xviii. f. 166v Happy are ye, that he is fair dead and buried many years agoe.
a1732 T. Boston View this & Other World (1775) 353 They look to get fair to the journey's end.
1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. 167 Its [sc. a cat] fair wild.
1897 D. McK. Wright Station Ballads & Other Verses 55 I feel fair sick.
1945 Coast to Coast 1944 200 It fair gets my goat.
1982 Times 28 July 11/3 The story fair gallops along.
2008 R. Hill Cure for All Dis. (2009) iii. iii. 369 Well I was fair gobsmacked!—stunnered!
9. Clearly, distinctly, plainly; frankly. Chiefly English regional (northern) in later use. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adverb] > clearly visible > sharply or distinctly
brightlyOE
clearlyc1300
fairc1390
vively1537
bremely1577
in focus1785
sharply1817
trenchantly1873
eidetically1929
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. i. l. 2 Þis feire feld, ful of folk feire I schal ow schewe.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 1897 Þare has þou..faire affirmed vs before þat sall fall eftir.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 19 He..brought hem vnto a place propice for to Iuste in, whiche was right fayr in the sighte for them of the cyte.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 3 Here fynd shall ye faire of þe felle peopull What kynges þere come of costes aboute.
1585 J. Sharrock tr. C. Ocland Valiant Actes & Victorious Battailes Eng. Nation i. sig. A.iiiiv Day light appeares, when fayre in sight was to a Iybet trust, One of the pledges, whom forthwith succeede an other must.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion x. 157 Taking breath, our way yet faire in view, The Muse her former course doth seriously pursue.
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 2 The pointe of the Lizard faire in sight.
1720 J. Mitchell Jonah iv. 24 Upon the tide the wanton Dolphin's play, And fair in sight appears the Tarsian Bay.
1786 R. Burns Poems 216 An' some, their New-light fair avow, Just quite barefac'd.
1873 ‘Gwordie Greenup’ Anudder Batch 27 Noo just tell me fair.
1886 Good Words 27 659/2 I can hear the knap, knap, knapping o' that crutch on the deck o' the Narwhal as fair as owt to-night.
1911 ‘Q’ Brother Copas xiii. 160 Manby told him fair and straight that he was a swindling cur.
1916 St. Nicholas June 682 My father's ship lay tossing, fair in sight of land and home.
10. So as to be easily legible; neatly, clearly; (also) in fair copy; without corrections or alterations. Frequently with write or copy.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > handwriting or style of > [adverb] > so as to be easily read
fair1533
legibly1553
1533 T. More 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere vii. p. ccclxxii God had not so fayre writen yt, but that some of theym coulde not rede yt.
1562 A. Golding tr. Briefe Treat. Burnynge Bucer & Phagius sig. D5 The sentence of condemnacion and takynge vp of Bucer and Phagius, fayre copyed out by Ormanet Datarye him selfe.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 14 July (1972) VII. 205 Up betimes to the office, to write fair a laborious letter.
1681 Tryal & Condemnation Edw. Fitz-Harris 16 I must add something for it is not yet full enough; but saies he this must be fair Copyed out.
1714 J. Gay Shepherd's Week Prol. Thy joyous Madrigals twice three, With Preface meet, and Notes profound, Imprinted fair, and well y-bound.
1774 Ld. Chesterfield Lett. to Son I. xvi. 50 I desire that you would translate and copy it fair into a book.
1832 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. in Rec. of Girlhood (1878) III. 187 After tea I..copied fair a speech I had been writing.
1873 Harper's Mag. Feb. 359/1 Every one who could draw and all who could write fair were examined.
1916 W. R. Bowie Children's Year ii. 15 Here it is—all written fair and plain.
2006 R. B. Rideout S. Anderson I. viii. 312 He sent some of the experimental pieces to her to be typed fair with an original and a carbon copy.
11. In or into the same plane or line; smoothly, on a level.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > state or position of being parallel > [adverb] > abreast
side by sidec1275
beside1340
afronta1425
side to side?c1450
sidelingsa1540
abreast1567
evenly1583
breastwise1613
fair1685
sidelong1803
sidlingly1859
1685 B. Ringrose Bucaniers Amer. iv. xx. 157 This morning we stood fair in with the Port of Tucames.
1708 London Gaz. No. 4422/7 The nine Sail stood in fair with us.
1882 Daily Tel. 4 May The plate does not lie fair on the frames.
1958 H. S. Smith in C. Singer et al. Hist. Technol. V. 507 The holes in the west lower chord joint were brought fair and the bolts inserted.
2004 J. Brooks & R. A. Hill How to Build Glued-lapstrake Wooden Boats vii. 139/2 Check to be sure that the plank fully contacts all molds, and that the batten runs fair.
Compounds
C1. Forming nouns with verbal nouns.
fair-doing n.
ΚΠ
1606 W. Arthur & H. Charteris Rollock's Lect. 1st & 2nd Epist. Paul to Thessalonians (2 Thess.) ix. 105 His rewarde for all his faire doing shall be with the hypocrites in Hell.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. viii. xxx. 611 Let them not be weary in fair-doing.
1990 P. B. Taylor in H. Damico & A. H. Olsen New Readings on Women in Old Eng. Lit. xiii. 211 The contexts of Old English and Old Norse terms for beauty are not fixed sexually, and fair-seeming is not equated universally with fair-doing.
C2. With adjectives.
a. † fair fierce adj. Obsolete† fair sweet adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) ii. sig. V2 She faire fierce, to such a state me calls.
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Meleager & Atalanta in Fables 108 Such was her Face, as in a Nymph display'd A fair fierce Boy.
ΚΠ
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Astrophel & Stella (1591) 34 Sweete garden Nymph..most faire sweete, do not..banish mee.
1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. B3 A very faire sweete roome.
b. † fair seemly adj. Obsolete (a) insincere, flattering; (b) of pleasant appearance, attractive.
ΚΠ
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xli. 64 The faire semely wordes and blandysshynge wordes of the Ianglours.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B7 Faireseemely pleasaunce each to other makes.
1599 A. Hume Hymnes sig. F3 Faire seemely shippes of four, fiue hundreth tuns, All furnisht full of fire-warks, and of guns.
C3.
a. Forming adjectives with present participles, as fair-blazing, fair-flowing, fair-shining, etc. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1509 S. Hawes Pastyme of Pleasure (de Worde) xxx. sig. N.ii She is now gone the fayre shynynge sterre.
1566 T. Drant Wailyngs Hieremiah in tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. K.iij Iacobs fayre blasyng bowers.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. i. 40 Hence forward, Ile beare vpon my Target, three faire shining suns.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia in Poems (1878) III. To Rdr. 130 The faire-Glareing Tulip.
1708 J. Philips Cyder ii. 523 Fair-revolving years.
1744 J. Thomson Summer in Seasons (new ed.) 113 The matchless Vale of Thames; Fair-winding up to where the Muses haunt.
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Tragedies 127 The voice Of fair-applauding fame.
1858 A. H. Clough Amours de Voyage in Atlantic Monthly Apr. 669 The cypress-spires by the fair-flowing stream.
1886 A. Shore tr. Dante in A. Shore Dante for Beginners 97 The fair revolving forms of heaven.
1903 J. Morley Life Gladstone III. x. ii. 380 It was perhaps a pity after all that Mr. Gladstone had not been allowed to persevere on the fair-shining path of conciliation.
1908 Official Programme 18th May Music Festival, Cincinnati 32 The fire fair-blazing lets him see In friendly circle met, Full many a kind and cheerful guest.
1925 R. S. Bridges New Verse Written in 1921 52 Conscious of beauty and of her fair-flowing array.
b.
fair-blooming adj.
ΚΠ
1596 C. M. First Pt. Nature of Woman sig. E2v The flame That after burnt faire blooming Troy.
1634 T. Carew Cœlum Britanicum 19 Tearing those humane passions from the mind, Vpon whose stockes faire blooming vertues flourish.
1740 W. Shenstone Judgm. Hercules 339 Fair-blooming Health surveys her altars there.
1895 F. Mcleod Sin-Eater 69 The fair blooming heather of the sunlit sea.
1922 C. T. Winchester Old Castle 1 Waving fields of yellow grain and fair-blooming orchards.
fair-boding adj.
ΚΠ
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. v. 181 The..fairest boding dreames, That euer entred in a drowsie head. View more context for this quotation
1772 J. Allen Poem 8 Fair boding hopes inur'd their hands to toil.
1886 Trans. Royal Hist. Soc. 3 346 Henry VII. was one whose course of action was not greatly affected by dreams, fair-boding or otherwise.
1914 A. H. Plumb When Mayflowers Blossom x. 180 The fair-boding flush of philanthropy.
fair-growing adj.
ΚΠ
1583 R. P. tr. P. de la Sierra Second Pt. Myrror of Knighthood i. ii. f. 6 In this faire growing pine for honour of his name, He did ingraue these lines.
1610 E. Topsell House-holder (new ed.) iii. 101 In this knowledge there are many sweet flowers,..and many faire growing seedes.
1767 J. Abercrombie Every Man his Own Gardener (ed. 2) 283 Lay in all the fair growing side shoots, for these are to bear the fruit next year.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad II. xxi. 291 A tall fair-growing elm.
1903 42nd Ann. Rep. State Board Agric. Michigan 152 Reeder.—A smooth, fair-growing pear, resembles Howell, but ripens in late October.
fair-sounding adj.
ΚΠ
1720 Lady M. W. Montagu in Earl of Roscommon et al. Poems II. 200 Impertinence, with all her tattling Train, Fair sounding Flattery's delicious Bane.
1798 Invasion I. 227 Unsuspicious of the treachery concealed beneath words so fair-sounding.
1871 E. F. Burr Ad Fidem iii. 39 We do not apply fair-sounding terms to that.
1994 J. T. Roberts Athens on Trial (1996) xi. 232 An autocratic venture that orators sought to cloak in fair-sounding words.
fair-spreading adj.
ΚΠ
1587 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnius Herbal for Bible l. 274 Faire spreading boughes do sometime signifie felicity.
1667 J. Raymond Folly in Print 26 The Stem Of a fair spreading Cedar, natures Gem.
1730 J. Thomson Autumn in Seasons 137 His..once fair-spreading family dissolv'd.
1838 H. S. L. Stud. Apocalypse 175 This fair-spreading but noxious plant.
1902 E. Wharton Valley of Decision i. viii. 86 A bend of the road brought them out on a fair-spreading city.
fair-thinking adj.
ΚΠ
1808 Morning Post 22 Jan. 4/2 What had happened in Portugal was sufficient to convince every fair thinking man of the truth of the information respecting Denmark.
1915 F. M. Hueffer Good Soldier ii. i. 108 The upright..fair-thinking, public character.
2012 Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka) (Nexis) 11 Mar. I expect all fair thinking countries to support Sri Lanka.
C4.
a. Forming adjectives with past participles, as fair-contrived, fair-forged, fair-told, etc. Now rare (archaic and poetic).
ΚΠ
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xxii. 17 Lyke as a fayre playstred wall in a winter house.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxiij Whiche faire told tale, allured to hym muche people.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B3 That faire-forged spright.
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. K8v Those fair extructed loads Of carved stone.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) 55 Thy faire-contriv'd designes.
1650 H. Vaughan Silex Scintillans 31 A faire-compacted frame.
1766 J. Langhorne Poet. Wks. I. 161 The..sun Gilds this fair-form'd world.
1850 E. B. Browning Poems (new ed.) II. 300 Prayers—that upward mount Like to a fair-sunned fount.
1952 D. M. Jones Anathemata v. 161 They fetch the big fair-garnished percher, lighted to the fonted water.
b.
fair-bound adj.
ΚΠ
1606 Bp. J. Hall Heauen vpon Earth 139 Some goodly faire bound Seneca's Tragedies.
1739 C. Leslie New & Exact Acct. Jamaica vii. 199 The Church-wardens of every Parish shall provide one fair bound Book, wherein the Minister shall register the Births, Christnings, Marriages, and Burials.
1917 Univ. Virginia Mag. Oct. 31 The fair bound vista of the Lawn.
fair-built adj.
ΚΠ
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 13 A fayre buylt temple, with treasure ritchlye replennisht.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. i. 282 The faire-built Bridge..More like a trade-full Citie.
?1747 J. Ray Compl. Hist. Rebellion 154 Wigan..is a fair built Town in the high Post Road.
1869 Trans. Hingham Agric. & Hort. Soc. 1968 81 A fair built machine; has some points superior to the others.
1931 H. Jackson Anat. Bibliomania II. xxi. viii. 169 Fair-built cities of age-long culture.
fair-divided adj.
ΚΠ
1691 G. Powell Alphonso Ep. Ded. sig. A3 A fair divided Triumph between You.
1730 J. Thomson Autumn in Seasons 162 The fair-divided earth.
1929 Irish Monthly 57 370/2 From the host of Conga Hill I shall get fair-divided stock.
fair-folded adj.
ΚΠ
1829 Archaeologia 22 313 Many a beautiful woman, many a mantle of scarlet, green, and russet, many a fair folded cloak.
1844 Ld. Houghton To Landor in Mem. Many Scenes 144 He..fed his heart—as thou—On storied Fiesole's fair-folded brow.
1906 E. Young Poems 30 Frail hands no mortal lover kissed, Fair folded now as Death beseems.
fair-sculptured adj.
ΚΠ
1732 J. Turner Epist. to Mr. Pope 9 So Ogilby's fair sculptur'd Tales declare.
1773 G. Keate Monument in Arcadia ii. 28 It seems a Tomb, and that fair sculptur'd Form Declares it such.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iv. 117 Ships with..fair-sculptured prows.
1921 Catholic World Aug. 660 Fair-sculptured capitals of the columns of the colonnade will speak to you in accents of hoary antiquity.
fair-set adj.
ΚΠ
1543 R. Grafton Contin. f. lx, in Chron. J. Hardyng This proclamacion..was so curyously endited and so fayre wrytten in parchement in a fayre sette hande.
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. Hv A full-spread faire-set Vine.
1714 C. Lindsay Brief Acct. State of Scotl. at Revol. 136 Sir J——s in a fair set Speech, spoke out what they all wished generally.
1868 G. A. Lawrence Brakespeare xxxvi. 104/1 In fair set terms, he began to condole with my master.
2000 H. Hollick Harold the King iv. x. 589 The majority of William's fleet relied on sail, requiring a fair-set southern wind.
fair-written adj.
ΚΠ
1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 265 A faire Librarie..which hath beene well furnished with faire written bookes in Uellum.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. iv. ii. 235 When a man requites a curtesie in words, or faire written promises, not really.
1700 M. Prior Carmen Sæculare 2 The fair-written Page.
1841 Anc. Laws & Inst. Wales p. xii A fair written Manuscript, in Jesus College Library, Oxford.
1904 Publ. Sc. Hist. Soc. 43 p. lxi Final e seems sometimes to be accentuated, especially in the fair written letter.
2012 C. R. Kyle Theater of State iii. 71 The fair-written diary was copied in such a way as to leave a margin for annotating the record.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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