Fairstead

/ˈfɛrˌstɛd/ noun

Definition

The land or grounds where a fair is regularly held; a fairground or fair-site.

Etymology

From 'fair' (a periodic market, from Old English 'fægr') plus 'stead' (from Old English 'stede' meaning 'place' or 'site'), literally 'the place where a fair is held,' similar to 'farmstead.'

Kelly Says

The '-stead' suffix (in 'homestead,' 'farmstead,' 'bedstead') comes from Old English for 'place,' and 'fairstead' beautifully parallels these terms—it's a ghost word showing how medieval English organized landscape by function.

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