a.
1. a. Having a fair or light-colored complexion. b. Of beautiful countenance.
The two senses are in many early examples not easy to distinguish.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., IV. ii. 68 (Qo.).
| Here is the babe as loathsome as a toade, | |
| Amongst the fairefast [ed. 1633, fairest] breeders of our clime. |
1607. Rowlands, Famous Hist., 56.
| The Nobles rich and costly in Attire, | |
| With worthy Knights and Gentlemen beside: | |
| Ladyes of Honour (as their Loues require) | |
| Attend vpon the beautious faire fac’d Bride. |
1689. Lond. Gaz., No. 2512/4. He is a low well set Man, fair faced.
1795. Fate of Sedley, I. 130. A fair-faced son of an Eastern Sultan.
1864. J. Forster, Life Sir J. Eliot, I. 28. The fair-faced fiend … had received her sentence on the previous day.
2. Having a fair appearance (see FACE sb. 8), pretty; fair to the eye only, specious.
1595. Shaks., John, II. i. 417. I shall shew you peace, and faire-fac’d league.
1616. Hayward, Sanct. Troub. Soul, I. (1620), 9. Shall I pretend the slie subtilties of the Diuell; the faire-faced shewes of the world; the pleasant perswasions of the flesh: The woman gave it mee? The Serpent deceiued mee?
1693. Congreve, Double-Dealer, II. viii. Tis such a pleasure to angle for fair-faced fools!
