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Webster 1913 Edition
Vair
Vair
(vâr)
, Noun.
The skin of the squirrel, much used in the fourteenth century as fur for garments, and frequently mentioned by writers of that period in describing the costly dresses of kings, nobles, and prelates. It is represented in heraldry by a series of small shields placed close together, and alternately white and blue.
Fairholt.
No
vair
or ermine decked his garment. Sir W. Scott.
Counter vair
(Her.)
, a fur resembling vair, except in the arrangement of the patches or figures.
Webster 1828 Edition
Vair
VAIR
,Noun.
VAIR
,Definition 2024
vair
vair
English
Vair
Noun
vair (plural vairs)
- (archaic) A type of fur from a squirrel with a black back and white belly, much used on garments in the Middle Ages.
- 1999, George RR Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam 2011, p. 323:
- Bran wore grey breeches and white doublet, his sleeves and collar trimmed with vair.
- 1999, George RR Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam 2011, p. 323:
- (heraldry) An heraldic fur formed by a regular tessellation of blue and white bell shapes.
Related terms
Translations
heraldic fur
See also
Dutch
Pronunciation
Etymology
From Old French vair, veir, from the accusative singular masculine form of Latin varius (“variegated”).
Noun
vair n (uncountable)
- (heraldry) vair (fur used in heraldry)
French
Etymology
From Old French vair, veir, from the accusative singular masculine form of Latin varius.
Pronunciation
Noun
vair m (plural vairs)
Anagrams
Old French
Etymology
From the accusative singular masculine form of Latin varius.
Adjective
vair m (oblique and nominative feminine singular vaire)
- changeable; that may change
- multi-colored; polychromatic
- shining; brilliant
Declension
Declension of vair
Noun
vair m (oblique plural vairs, nominative singular vairs, nominative plural vair)
- vair (fur of a squirrel)