from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fair \Fair\, n. [OE. feire, OF. feire, F. foire, fr. L. fariae,
pl., days of rest, holidays, festivals, akin to festus
festal. See {Feast}.]
1. A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a
particular place with their merchandise at a stated or
regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.
[1913 Webster]
2. A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for
some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church
fair.
[1913 Webster]
3. A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc.,
not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics'
fair; an agricultural fair.
[1913 Webster]
4. an exhibition by a number of organizations, including
governmental organizations, for the purpose of acquainting
people with such organizations or their members, not
primarily for commercial purposes; as, the 1939 World's
Fair.
[PJC]
Meet me in St. Louis, Louis
Meet me at the fair
Don't tell me the lights are shining
Anyplace but there. --Song (1904:
words by
Andrew B.
Sterling,
music by Kerry
Mills,
popularized by
Billy Murray.
Prominent in
the movie
"Meet Me In
St. Louis",
1944)
[PJC]
{After the fair}, Too late. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]