Counter vair

Counter vair
Vair Vair, n. [F. vair, from OF. vair, a., L. varius various, variegated. See {Various}, and cf. {Menivel}.] 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. [1913 Webster]

No vair or ermine decked his garment. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

{Counter vair} (Her.), a fur resembling vair, except in the arrangement of the patches or figures. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Counter-vair — Her. One of the chief *furs alternating *argent and azure bell shapes, i.e. in opposite order to *vair …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Vair — Vair, n. [F. vair, from OF. vair, a., L. varius various, variegated. See {Various}, and cf. {Menivel}.] The skin of the squirrel, much used in the fourteenth century as fur for garments, and frequently mentioned by writers of that period in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Vair — 1) The fur of a squirrel; its grey and white was used as distinctive decoration. Cf. Miniver 2) Her. One of the chief *furs, with alternating azure and *argent bell shapes. Cf. Counter vair; Ermine1 …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Vair — In heraldry, vair is a fur , a tincture which is simultaneously a two coloured field treatment. It is found in a variety of colours, and appears in different arrangements, each with its own name.It goes back, as does ermine, to a fur highly… …   Wikipedia

  • contre-vair — contre vair, value see counter …   Useful english dictionary

  • Беличий мех (геральдика) — Зимний окрас обыкновенной белки Беличий мех (vair)  один из двух мехов, традиционно используемых в русской и мировой геральдике. Содержание 1 Особенности …   Википедия

  • Ethereal tincture — Tincture Tinc ture, n. [L. tinctura a dyeing, from tingere, tinctum, to tinge, dye: cf. OE. tainture, teinture, F. teinture, L. tinctura. See {Tinge}.] 1. A tinge or shade of color; a tint; as, a tincture of red. [1913 Webster] 2. (Her.) One of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tincture — Tinc ture, n. [L. tinctura a dyeing, from tingere, tinctum, to tinge, dye: cf. OE. tainture, teinture, F. teinture, L. tinctura. See {Tinge}.] 1. A tinge or shade of color; a tint; as, a tincture of red. [1913 Webster] 2. (Her.) One of the metals …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fur — Her. Animal skins; a *tincture representing tufts of fur. There are eight main furs: *ermine, *ermines, *erminois, *pean, *vair, *counter vair, *potent and *counter potent …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • countervair — ˈkau̇ntə(r)+ˌ noun Etymology: past translation of French contrevair, from contre counter + vair more at vair : a heraldic vair in which each pane stands broad edge to broad edge or point to point with one of the same tincture above or below it …   Useful english dictionary

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