vair

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A type of fur from a squirrel with a grey back and white belly, much used on garments in the Middle Ages.
  2. An heraldic fur formed by a regular tessellation of bell shapes in two colours, (for example in the image, blue and white).

Pronunciation

/ˈvɛə/ /ˈvɛɚ/ /ˈvɛɹ̩/ /veː/ /ˈve̝ə/ /ˈviə/ /ˈveəɹ/ /vɜː(ɹ)/

Word forms

vair vairs

Etymology

From Middle English veir, veire, from Old French vair, veir, from the accusative singular masculine form of Latin varius (“variegated”). Not related to Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“squirrel”).

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