farded; farding; fards

transitive verb

1
: to paint (the face) with cosmetics
2
archaic : to gloss over
fard noun archaic

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The Connection Between Fard and Cosmetics

Though a relatively uncommon little word, fard is used to describe a very familiar activity-the application of cosmetics. When it is encountered these days it is often in participle form or simply as an example of an unusual or old-timey word. Fard was borrowed from Anglo-French (from the verb farder) and first appeared in English in the mid-1400s. It is ultimately of Germanic origin and akin to the Old High German word faro, meaning "colored."

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French farder, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German faro colored — more at perch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fard was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near fard

Cite this Entry

“Fard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fard. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

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