Adjective. Comparative, fairer; Superlative, fairest
Original meaning is "beautiful", "elegant", "attractive". Derived from Old English "faeger" and Old Norse "fagr", and from proto-Germanic "fagraz" ("suitable", "fitting", "nice"). Applies to the weather as well as to physical beauty.
Since the nobility in England generally defined what beauty was, and since the nobility were pale because they were rich enough that they didn't have to work under the sun, "fair" took on the connotation of "pale" or "bright" in color; fair-haired, fair-skinned, etc.
Through loosening of the meaning of the word, "fair" also came to mean "just", "equitable", as in "a fair trial".
Original meaning is "beautiful", "elegant", "attractive". Derived from Old English "faeger" and Old Norse "fagr", and from proto-Germanic "fagraz" ("suitable", "fitting", "nice"). Applies to the weather as well as to physical beauty.
Since the nobility in England generally defined what beauty was, and since the nobility were pale because they were rich enough that they didn't have to work under the sun, "fair" took on the connotation of "pale" or "bright" in color; fair-haired, fair-skinned, etc.
Through loosening of the meaning of the word, "fair" also came to mean "just", "equitable", as in "a fair trial".
-A fair-minded, fair-haired fair maid proved that her heart, mind, and soul were as fair as her body.
-Ten dollars off of the usual price? Sounds fair.
-Ten dollars off of the usual price? Sounds fair.
by RuddyWriter July 08, 2015
by notanyoneyouknow January 26, 2013
Annoying Kid: That's not fair! Why don't I get candy?
Realist Kid: You know it's cuz that person knows you're annoying. That's very fair.
Realist Kid: You know it's cuz that person knows you're annoying. That's very fair.
by they call me crazy March 09, 2012
According to most South-West Asians: Having a good, clear complexion.
A fair-skinned person is considered attractive regardless of whether that person has a symmetrical face or a healthy figure. I've noticed that certain people who would not be considered attractive in the United States are considered beautiful here because of their light skin. The flipside is that some who are considered unattractive because of darker skin would be considered attractive in countries outside of India. The equation is simple: in India, light skin equals beauty.
A single doctor who advertises himself as "tall, dark and
handsome" would get far more attention from women than
a single writer who's "tall, fair and unemployed."
A fair-skinned person is considered attractive regardless of whether that person has a symmetrical face or a healthy figure. I've noticed that certain people who would not be considered attractive in the United States are considered beautiful here because of their light skin. The flipside is that some who are considered unattractive because of darker skin would be considered attractive in countries outside of India. The equation is simple: in India, light skin equals beauty.
A single doctor who advertises himself as "tall, dark and
handsome" would get far more attention from women than
a single writer who's "tall, fair and unemployed."
by Zango90 November 28, 2005
1. Just, right, as opposed to one-sided and biased.
2. Mediocre, not bad but not good.
3. Pale, of light color. Applied to hair, it signifies blonde.
4. Beautiful, especially applied to women.
2. Mediocre, not bad but not good.
3. Pale, of light color. Applied to hair, it signifies blonde.
4. Beautiful, especially applied to women.
1. "Oh Knights of Ni, you are just and fair!"
2. "You did fairly on the test. Try to study next time."
3. "The sprite darted through the forest, her fair hair streaming behind her."
"Fair hair" usually signifies blonde hair. Still, used loosely, it can mean all shades of blond, a few lighter shades of red hair, and light brown hair.
4. "A rose shall bloom,/And then shall fade./So does the youth,/So does the fairest maid."
2. "You did fairly on the test. Try to study next time."
3. "The sprite darted through the forest, her fair hair streaming behind her."
"Fair hair" usually signifies blonde hair. Still, used loosely, it can mean all shades of blond, a few lighter shades of red hair, and light brown hair.
4. "A rose shall bloom,/And then shall fade./So does the youth,/So does the fairest maid."
by Lorelili March 31, 2006
by Some Tool March 15, 2007