fair1
adj.
- treating people equally.
▸just or appropriate in the circumstances.
- (of hair or complexion) light; blonde.
- considerable in size or amount.
▸moderately good.
▸Austral./NZ informal complete.
- (of weather) fine and dry.
- archaic beautiful.
adv.
- in a fair manner.
- dialect to a high degree.
n.
archaic a beautiful woman.
v.
dialect (of the weather) become fine.
Phrase
- fair and square
- with absolute accuracy.
- honestly and straightforwardly.
- fair dinkum
see dinkum. - fair dos
Brit. informal a request for just treatment or an acceptance that it has been given. - fair game
a person or thing that is considered a reasonable target for criticism or exploitation. - the fair sex
(also the fairer sex)
dated or humorous women.
- fair's fair
informal a request for just treatment or an assertion that an arrangement is just. - for fair
US informal completely and finally. - in a fair way to
likely to. - it's a fair cop
Brit. informal an admission that the speaker has been caught doing wrong and deserves punishment.
Derivative
Etymology
OE fæger ‘pleasing, attractive’, of Gmc origin.
fair2
n.
- a gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment.
- a periodic gathering for the sale of goods.
▸an exhibition to promote particular products.
▸N. Amer. an annual competitive exhibition of livestock, agricultural products, etc., held in a rural area.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. feire, from late L. feria, sing. of L. feriae ‘holy days’ (on which fairs were often held).
fair3
v.
[
usu. as adj. faired]
streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings.
Etymology
OE in the senses ‘beautify’ and ‘appear or become clean’.