Fair \Fair\ (f[^a]r), a. [Compar. Fairer; superl.
         Fairest.]
   [OE. fair,
         fayer, fager, AS. f[ae]ger; akin
         to OS. & OHG.
   fagar, Icel. fagr, Sw. fager, Dan. faver,
         Goth. fagrs fit,
   also to E. fay, G. f["u]gen, to fit.
         fegen to sweep, cleanse,
   and prob. also to E. fang,
         peace, pact, Cf. Fang,
         Fain,
   Fay to fit.]
 
          1.
         Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection;
     
         unblemished; clean; pure.
      [1913 Webster]

            A fair white linen cloth.             --Book of
                                                  Common Prayer.
   
           [1913 Webster]

   2. Pleasing to the eye; handsome;
         beautiful.
      [1913 Webster]

            Who can not see many a fair French city, for one
            fair French made.                     --Shak.
     
         [1913 Webster]

   3. Without a dark hue; light; clear;
         as, a fair skin.
      [1913 Webster]

            The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
                                                  --Sir M. Hale.
   
           [1913 Webster]

   4. Not overcast; cloudless; clear;
         pleasant; propitious;
      favorable; -- said of the sky,
         weather, or wind, etc.; as,
      a fair sky; a fair day.

              [1913 Webster]

            You wish fair winds may waft him over. --Prior.
     
         [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a
            fair way to have enlarged.            --Sir W.
                                                  Raleigh.
     
         [1913 Webster]

   6. (Shipbuilding) Without sudden change
         of direction or
      curvature; smooth; flowing; -- said
         of the figure of a
      vessel, and of surfaces, water
         lines, and other lines.
      [1913 Webster]

   7.
         Characterized 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." --Shak.
      [1913
         Webster]

   8. Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and
         confidence; --
      said of words, promises, etc.
     
         [1913 Webster]

            When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on
            us, we must be frighted into our duty. --L'
                                                  Estrange.
     
         [1913 Webster]

   9. Distinct; legible; as, fair
         handwriting.
      [1913 Webster]

   10. Free from any
         marked characteristic; average; middling;
       as, a fair
         specimen.
       [1913 Webster]

             The news is very fair and good, my lord. --Shak.
      
         [1913 Webster]

   Fair
         ball. (Baseball)
       (a) A
         ball passing over the home base at the height
           called for by the batsman, and delivered by the
           pitcher while wholly within the lines of his position
           and facing the batsman.
       (b) A batted ball that
         falls inside the foul lines; --
           called also a fair
         hit.

   Fair
         maid. (Zool.)
    
           (a) The European pilchard (Clupea pilchardus) when
           dried.
       (b) The southern scup ({Stenotomus
         Gardeni}). [Virginia]
           

   Fair one, a
         handsome woman; a beauty,

   {Fair
         play}, equitable or impartial treatment; a fair or
     
         equal chance; justice.

   From fair to middling,
         passable; tolerable. [Colloq.]

   The fair sex, the
         female sex.

   Syn: Candid; open; frank; ingenuous;
         clear; honest;
        equitable; impartial; reasonable.
         See Candid.
       
         [1913 Webster]