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Fair (fâr), a.
[Compar. Fairer (?);
superl. Fairest.] [OE. fair,
fayer, fager, AS. fæger; akin to OS. &
OHG. fagar, Icel. fagr, Sw. fager, Dan.
faver, Goth. fagrs fit, also to E. fay, G.
fügen, to fit. fegen to sweep, cleanse, and prob.
also to E. fang, peace, pact, Cf. Fang,
Fain, Fay to fit.]
1. Free from
spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean;
pure.
A fair white linen cloth. Book
of Common Prayer.
2. Pleasing to the eye; handsome;
beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for
one fair French made. Shak.
3. Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a
fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-
complexioned. Sir M. Hale.
4. Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant;
propitious; favorable; -- said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.;
as, a fair sky; a fair day.
You wish fair winds may waft him
over. Prior.
5. Free from obstacles or hindrances;
unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; -- said of a road, passage,
etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair
view.
The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a
fair way to have enlarged. Sir W.
Raleigh.
6. (Shipbuilding) Without sudden
change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; -- said of the
figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other
lines.
7. Characterized by frankness, honesty,
impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias;
equitable; just; -- said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a
fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.
"I would call it fair play." Shak.
8. Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and
confidence; -- said of words, promises, etc.
When fair words and good counsel will not
prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty. L'
Estrange.
9. Distinct; legible; as, fair
handwriting.
10. Free from any marked characteristic;
average; middling; so-so; as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my
lord. Shak.
Fair ball. (Baseball) (a)
A ball passing over the home base at the height called for by the
batsman, and delivered by the pitcher while wholly within the lines
of his position and facing the batsman. (b)
A batted ball that falls inside the foul lines; -- called also a
fair hit. -- Fair maid.
(Zoöl.) (a) The European pilchard
(Clupea pilchardus) when dried. (b)
The southern scup (Stenotomus Gardeni). [Virginia] --
Fair one, a handsome woman; a beauty, --
Fair play, equitable or impartial treatment; a
fair or equal chance; justice. -- From fair to
middling, passable; tolerable. [Colloq.] --
The fair sex, the female sex.
Syn. -- Candid; open; frank; ingenuous; clear; honest;
equitable; impartial; reasonable. See Candid.
Fair, adv. Clearly; openly;
frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously;
agreeably.
Fair and square, justly; honestly;
equitably; impartially. [Colloq.] -- To bid
fair. See under Bid. -- To speak
fair, to address with courtesy and frankness.
[Archaic]
Fair, n. 1.
Fairness, beauty. [Obs.] Shak.
2. A fair woman; a sweetheart.
I have found out a gift for my
fair. Shenstone.
3. Good fortune; good luck.
Now fair befall thee !
Shak.
The fair, anything beautiful; women,
collectively. "For slander's mark was ever yet the fair."
Shak.
Fair, v. t. 1. To
make fair or beautiful. [Obs.]
Fairing the foul. Shak.
2. (Shipbuilding) To make smooth and
flowing, as a vessel's lines.
Fair, n. [OE. feire, OF.
feire, F. foire, fr. L. fariae, pl., days of
rest, holidays, festivals, akin to festus festal. See
Feast.] 1. A gathering of buyers and
sellers, assembled at a particular place with their merchandise at a
stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for
trade.
2. A festival, and sale of fancy articles.
erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army
fair.
3. A competitive exhibition of wares, farm
products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the
Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.
After the fair, Too late. [Colloq.]
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