Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Fair

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. Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; fowing; said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.

7. Characterised 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.

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; as, a fair specimen. The news is very fair and good, my lord. (Shak) fair ball.

Synonym: Candid, open, frank, ingenuous, clear, honest, equitable, impartial, reasonable. See Candid.

Origin: oe. Fair, fayer, fager, as. Faeger; akin to os. & OHG. Fagar, Isel. Fagr, Sw. Fager, dan. Faver, goth. Fagrs fit, also to E. Fay, g. Fugen, to fit. Fegen to sweep, cleanse, and prob. Also to E. Fang, peace, pact, cf. Fang, Fain, fay to fit.