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fair
fair market exhibition at which producers, traders, and consumers meet either to barter or to buy and sell goods and services. Before the development of transportation and marketing, fairs furnished the primary opportunity for the exchange of merchandise, and served as centers of community social life. Among the ancient Greeks and Romans the days of the public market were also used to announce new public laws. In early Christian times special occasions for marketing were frequently attached to religious gatherings, notably those of pilgrims coming to a town to celebrate a special feast. In the Middle Ages fairs were the major means of exchanging commodities not produced for subsistence. Fairs were incorporated by royal charter and had their own officials, laws, and courts. Major trade routes affected the growth of individual fairs; among the most prominent were those of Geneva, Antwerp, Leipzig, Madrid, Burgundy, Lyons, Bordeaux, Novgorod, and Sturbridge and Bartholomew Fair in England. Of the variety of goods traded at such fairs, cloth was probably the most important. The volume of trade was so great that by the 15th cent. some fair towns became banking centers and were subjected to special regulations. With the breaking of the manorial system, commerce became an expanding and regular part of economic life. Trade fairs declined and to a large extent were replaced by outdoor and indoor general markets. In the 17th cent. pleasure fairs, dominated by entertainments such as plays, became popular. The exposition , combining entertainment and commerce, flourishes today. A variety of advanced industrial wares (such as computers) are exhibited, and important technological innovations are displayed. International trade fairs, devoted solely to commercial display and directed toward businessmen, have also become popular since World War II. Agricultural fairs—held to improve farming methods, stocks, and crops—have been particularly important in the history of the United States. Many states and counties still maintain annual fairs, though some have been discontinued. In recent years, specialized fairs, such as the Frankfurt Book Fair, have taken on international significance.
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"fair." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "fair." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-fair.html "fair." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-fair.html |
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fair
fair1 / fe(ə)r/ • adj. 1. in accordance with the rules or standards; legitimate: fair and equal representation. ∎ just or appropriate in the circumstances: to be fair, this subject poses special problems. ∎ Baseball (of a batted ball) within the field of play marked by the first and third baselines. 2. (of hair or complexion) light; blond. ∎ (of a person) having such a complexion or hair. 3. considerable though not outstanding in size or amount. ∎ moderately good though not outstandingly so: he believes he has a fair chance of success. 4. (of weather) fine and dry. 5. archaic beautiful: attractive: the fairest of her daughters. • adv. 1. without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage: no one could say he played fair. 2. dial. to a high degree: she'll be fair delighted to see you. PHRASES: fair and square honestly and straightforwardly: we won the match fair and square. a fair deal equitable treatment. fair enough inf. used to admit that something is reasonable or acceptable: “I can't come because I'm working late.” “Fair enough.” fair-to-middling slightly above average: she manages to capitalize on some fair-to-middling material. the fair sex dated or humorous women. in a fair way to do something dated having nearly done something, and likely to achieve it: he is in a fair way to get well. no fair inf. unfair (often used in or as a petulant protestation): no fair—we're the only kids in the whole school who don't get to watch TV on school nights.DERIVATIVES: fair·ish adj. fair·ness n. fair2 • n. a gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment. ∎ a competitive exhibition of livestock, agricultural products, and household skills held annually by a town, county, or state and also featuring entertainment and educational displays. ∎ an exhibition to promote particular products: the Contemporary Art Fair. fair3 • v. [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (faired) streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings. |
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"fair." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "fair." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-fair.html "fair." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-fair.html |
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fair
fair all's fair in love and war in certain conditions rules do not apply, and any measures are acceptable. The saying is recorded from the early 17th century, but a related idea is found earlier in Lyly's Euphues (1578), ‘Any impiety may lawfully be committed in love, which is lawless.’
fair and softly goes far in a day steady undeviating progress is likely to be more successful than proceeding by fits and starts; saying recorded from the mid 14th century. a fair field and no favour equal conditions in a contest, not unduly favouring or hindering either side. fair play's a jewel proverbial saying, early 19th century, applauding the value of honest dealing. a fair-weather friend someone who cannot be relied on for continuing support in a difficult situation, especially when one is attacked or criticized. see also none but the brave deserve the fair, give and take is fair play, if St Paul's day be fair and clear at St Paul1, turn and turn about is fair play. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "fair." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "fair." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-fair.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "fair." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-fair.html |
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fair
fair. Common translation for the OIr. óenach, denoting public assemblies held periodically in medieval times at Tara, Tailtiu, Tlachtga, and Uisnech; unlike the English fair, the óenach did not include commerce. The ModIr. equivalent, aonach, denotes such assemblies as that held at Millstreet, Co. Cork, and all through the country in the early 20th century. ScG féill, margadh; Manx margey; W ffair; Corn. fēr; Bret. foar. Distinguish from festival, féil, feis.
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JAMES MacKILLOP. "fair." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "fair." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-fair.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "fair." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-fair.html |
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fair
fair, a term applied to the direction of the wind when it is favourable to the course being steered in a sailing vessel. It is more comprehensive than large as it can blow from about four points on the bow to right astern. Any wind which will enable a sailing vessel to fetch a desired point without tacking or pinching is a fair wind.
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"fair." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "fair." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-fair.html "fair." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-fair.html |
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fair
fair1 beautiful, pleasing OE.; free from blemish XII; favourable XIII; light-coloured (opp. dark) XVI. OE. fæġer = OS., OHG. fagar, ON. fagr, Goth. fagrs :- Gmc. *faʒraz.
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T. F. HOAD. "fair." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "fair." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-fair.html T. F. HOAD. "fair." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-fair.html |
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fair
fair2 periodical gathering of buyers and sellers. XIII. — OF. feire (mod. foire) :- late L. fēria, sg. of classL. fēriæ holiday, rel. to festum FEAST.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "fair." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "fair." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-fair1.html T. F. HOAD. "fair." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-fair1.html |
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fairness
fairness See fair surface design.
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JOHN DAINTITH. "fairness." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN DAINTITH. "fairness." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-fairness.html JOHN DAINTITH. "fairness." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-fairness.html |
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