English Reference

Word

faire

/ˈfɛɹ/

Definition

adj. an old-fashioned way of spelling 'fair'. It describes something that is beautiful, light in color, or honest.

adj. an archaic orthographic variant of 'fair'. It functions as a descriptor for aesthetic beauty, light complexion, or equitable treatment in historical or literary contexts.

Examples

“The knight spoke of a faire maiden in the castle.”

“In many medieval manuscripts, the word faire is used to praise the physical beauty of noble women.”

“The poet lamented that time would eventually fade even the most faire countenance, turning youth into the grey shadows of old age.”

Examples

simple

“The knight spoke of a faire maiden in the castle.”

contextual

“In many medieval manuscripts, the word faire is used to praise the physical beauty of noble women.”

complex

“The poet lamented that time would eventually fade even the most faire countenance, turning youth into the grey shadows of old age.”

Usage

Archaic spelling; primarily encountered in Early Modern English texts or fantasy literature to evoke a historical atmosphere.

Pitfall

She is a faire person.

She is a fair person.

The spelling 'faire' is archaic and should not be used in modern English unless intentionally mimicking historical writing.

Real-World Examples

“In Spain the laissez faire attitude to pyrotechnics means it’s not unusual to see a rocket whizzing through the crowds at a summer festival.”
The Local · 19 Sept 2024

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference