fair1
¦ adjective
1. treating people equally.
just or appropriate in the circumstances.
2. (of hair or complexion) light; blonde.
3. considerable in size or amount.
moderately good.
Austral./NZ informal complete.
4. (of weather) fine and dry.
5. archaic beautiful.
¦ adverb
1. in a fair manner.
2. dialect to a high degree.
¦ noun archaic a beautiful woman.
¦ verb dialect (of the weather) become fine.
Phrases
fair and square
1. with absolute accuracy.
2. honestly and straightforwardly.
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.
Derivatives
fairish adjective
fairness noun
Origin
OE f?ger 'pleasing, attractive', of Gmc origin.
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fair2
¦ noun
1. a gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment.
2. 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.
Origin
ME: from OFr. feire, from late L. feria, singular of L. feriae 'holy days' (on which fairs were often held).
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fair3
¦ verb [usu. as adjective faired] streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings.
Origin
OE in the senses 'beautify' and 'appear or become clean'.