Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [vair]
- /vɛər/
- /vˈeə/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [vair]
- /vɛər/
Definitions of vair word
- noun vair a fur much used for lining and trimming garments in the 13th and 14th centuries, generally assumed to have been that of a variety of squirrel with a gray back and white belly. Compare miniver (def 1). 1
- noun vair Heraldry. a fur represented by a pattern of escutcheon- or bell-shaped figures, each outlining the adjacent sides of those beside it so that the figures alternate vertically and horizontally both in position and in tinctures, of which argent and azure are common. 1
- noun vair a fur, probably Russian squirrel, used to trim robes in the Middle Ages 0
- noun vair one of the two principal furs used on heraldic shields, conventionally represented by white and blue skins in alternate lines 0
- noun vair a fur, usually from a gray and white squirrel, used for trimming and lining clothes in the Middle Ages 0
- noun vair the representation of a fur, indicated in engravings by rows of small bells, alternately upright and turned down 0
Information block about the term
Origin of vair
First appearance:
before 1250 One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin varium something particolored; see various
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Vair
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
vair popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 69% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 58% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.