vair (countable and uncountable, 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.
(tincture) An heraldic fur formed by a regular tessellation of bell shapes in two colours, (for example in the image, blue and white).
• Ravi, Riva, Viar, riva, vari, vira
Source: Wiktionary
Vair, n. Etym: [F. vair, from OF. vair, a., L. varius various, variegated. See Various, and cf. Menivel.]
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
2 April 2025
(adjective) secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”
The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.
