释义 |
ˈhorse-fair A fair or annual market for the sale of horses. b. Hence the name of the square, place, or street where such a fair is or was held. (Cf. Mayfair, Haymarket, Cornmarket, etc., as place-names.)
1369Mem. Ripon (Surtees) II. 127 In le Horsefaire. 1504Ripon Ch. Acts (Surtees) 321 In le horsffayr, aliter dicto horstreyt gaytt..al. dicto horsgaitstreyt. 1688Lond. Gaz. No. 2323/4 The Horse-Fairs at Ripon in Yorkshire, will be holden. 1689–90Temple Ess. Trade Irel. (Jod.), There may be set up both a horsefair and races. 1828Carlyle Misc., Voltaire (1840) II. 101 Figure Mahomet, in his youthful years, ‘travelling to the horse-fairs of Syria!’ Mod. Barnet is celebrated for its annual horse-fair. c. attrib. Such as is used in a horse-fair: dishonest, equivocating.
1606Sir G. Goosecappe iv. i. in Bullen O. Pl. III. 58 Away with these same horse-faire allegations; will you answer the letter? |