set fair

set fair (third-person singular simple present sets fair, present participle setting fair, simple past and past participle set fair)

1. (masonry) To provide a smooth, finished surface on plaster after roughing in.
   • 1849, Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England:

     The ceilings of the upper story to be lathed, plastered, and set fair; and the walls of the same, with those of the living rooms, to be rendered and set fair.

   • 1855, The Practical Mechanic's Journal - Volumes 7-8, page 109:

     The cavities or cells run horizontally, and the blocks are dovetailed together at the joints, and united with strong-guaged plaster of Paris and lime putty, or air-slacked lime. They are set fair, and dressed with scrapers, forming a surface suitable either for paint or paper.

   • 1860, Robert Scott Burn, Handbook of the Mechanical Arts, page 48:

     The ceiling of basement to be lathed with strong laths securely nailed, plastered two coats, set fair, and twice whitened when dry.

2. To become favorable.
   • 1595, Shakespeare, King Richard II:

     The wind sets fair for news to go to Ireland, But none returns.

   • 1874, “Unexhausted Improvements”, in The Country Gentleman's Magazine, volume 2, page 587:

     Public opinion is setting fair in the direction of utilizing the many miles of unproductive waste, and has also recognized the present drawbacks to production, consequent upon the restrictions tenant-farmers labour under at the present time.

   • 1835, The American Monthly Magazine - Volume 4, page 16:

     Huzza for Otaheite, boys, The breeze is setting fair, And on its wing, so fleet, boys, We soon shall revel there.

   • 2011, Graeme Swann, Graeme Swann: The Breaks Are Off - My Autobiography, →ISBN:

     India won the toss and batted first, and were set fair for a massive score at 320 for one, but once again I removed Gambhir and Dravid in quick succession, this time after both had hundreds to their names, and then the prize scalp of Tendulkar, all in a 19-run spell.

3. To develop weather that is clear and pleasant.
   • 2007, M. C. Beaton, Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate, →ISBN, page 151:

     The day set fair without a breath of wind.

   • 2013, Martin Booth, Islands of Silence: A Novel, →ISBN:

     The clouds on the mountains had dissipated, the day set fair and hot.

   • 2016, Geoff Titterton, Our Nine Year Honeymoon, →ISBN:

     Visibility was good and the weather set fair.

4. To put in order; to make neat.
   • 1803, William Taplin, The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository of General Information, page 390:

     He is then furnished with dry sheets, hood, &c. brought to the ground for the purpose; when being led home to the stable, he is supplied with the necessary quantity of soft water, a little warm, previous to undergoing a regular and complete dressing, with greater nicety, than in the open air: when this is systematically gone through, he has a farther moderate supply of water, which is most commonly (though there are occasional deviations) followed by a warm and comfortable mash; upon depositing which in the manger, and setting the stable fair, the door is closed for a double period of the usual hours for going to stable when a horse has not been sweated; and although he undergoes the afternoon and evening routine of being fed, set fair, &c. he is neither stripped, or goes to exercise, any more on that day.

   • 1845, The Practical Cotton Spinner:

     Then set it fair to the points of the spindles, and at an equal distance back from them at the brasses all along ;

   • 2016, Brion Toss, The Complete Rigger's Apprentice, →ISBN:

     But it won't set fair when made tight around yards or round thimbles.

set fair (comparative more set fair, superlative most set fair)

1. favorable; propitious.
   • 2011, John Urry, Climate Change and Society, →ISBN, page 48:

     The economies of north America, western Europe and parts of Asia seemed to be set fair for many decades of growth fuelled by the high carbon systems of production and consumption.

   • (Can we date this quote?), Peter Ackroyd, Foundation: The History of England, →ISBN:

     All seemed to be set fair for English power across the Channel but in 1369 the new French king, Charles V, known as Charles the Wise, reasserted his feudal rights over all the territories of France.

   • 2012, Lindsey German & ‎John Rees, A People's History of London, →ISBN, page 106:

     Sure enough reform, when it came, achieved almost exactly what the Whigs had hoped: as soon as the industrial employing classes were brought into government, most agitation subsided, and all seemed set fair for stability.

2. In a state of settled fair weather.
   • 2004, Reginald William Skelton (‎Judy V. Skelton), The Antarctic Journals of Reginald Skelton:

     There was just a chance this morning that, if the weather looked very 'set fair', we might make another attempt, but although at the camp it was beautifully fine, we could still see signs of wind & drift on the sea slopes of Terror & the temperature was rather low.

   • 2005, Linda Watson, The Ladies of Low Arvie: Living the Farming Dream, →ISBN, page 158:

     It is crucial to have all the machines ready to go when the grass is at its peak and the weather is set fair for two or three days, and when the engineer said that the baler was working fine, we eagerly looked at the weather forecast.

   • 2007, Margarett Mirley, Closing the Helix, →ISBN:

     They would trad with the Orks again -- in better weather next time. They quickly left while it looked set fair.

   • 2012, Judith Saxton, This Royal Breed, →ISBN:

     So early one morning, when the weather seemed set fair, Rochelle told Laurie about the food store.

   • 2015, Gary Stidder, Becoming a Physical Education Teacher, →ISBN, page xi:

     Although there was still some ice and snow in the gullies and valleys that we encountered on the trek up, it was otherwise quite a clear morning and conditions were set fair as we set off.

3. In good shape.
   • 2012, Ian Duncan & ‎Douglas Mack, The Edinburgh Companion to James Hogg, →ISBN, page 29:

     All must have looked set fair by the time Hogg returned to Scotland in March 1832, and early reports suggested a rapid sale of 1500 copies of the first volume, representing the first tranche of a printing of 3000.

   • 2014, Ginger Mccain, My Colourful Life: From Red to Amber, →ISBN:

     At the racecourse, I could tell Red Rum was very well in himself and looked set fair in the sunshine.

   • 2014, Mike Read, Seize the Day, →ISBN:

     His version of 'Myfanwy' was given the thumbs-up by CBS and we looked set fair. Set fair, that is, until one of their promotion guys heard it.

• Freitas, afrites, fairest, refaits