vair

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

vair, n. [F. vair, from OF. vair, a., L. varius various, variegated. See Various, and cf. Meniver.].

 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."  [1913 Webster]

Counter vair (Her.), a fur resembling vair, except in the arrangement of the patches or figures.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

vair, n.
1 archaic or hist. a squirrel-fur widely used for medieval linings and trimmings.
2 Heraldry fur represented by small shield-shaped or bell-shaped figures usu. alternately azure and argent.

Etymology

ME f. OF f. L (as VARIOUS)