Vair
/vɛə/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A type of fur from a squirrel with a grey back and white belly, much used on garments in the Middle Ages. countable, uncountable
"Bran wore grey breeches and white doublet, his sleeves and collar trimmed with vair."
- 2 An heraldic fur formed by a regular tessellation of bell shapes in two colours, (for example in the image, blue and white). countable, uncountable
Example
More examples"Vair, who was to be revered as a Sufi saint, was noticed in a bazaar because of his deferential bearing by a stranger, who, taking him for a slave, approached and asked, "Are you looking for your master?""
Etymology
From Middle English veir, veire, from Old French vair, veir, from the accusative singular masculine form of Latin varius (“variegated”).