by fair means Definition

fair¹
adj fairer, fairest

1. Just; not using dishonest methods or discrimination.

Thesaurus: just, impartial, upright, righteous, legitimate, dispassionate, disinterested, honest, evenhanded, above-board, fair and square; Antonym: prejudiced, biased.
2. In accordance with the rules.
3a. Said of hair and skin: light-coloured;

Thesaurus: blonde, milky, flaxen, chalky, pallid, sallow, pale; Antonym: swarthy, brunette.
3b. Said of someone: having light-coloured hair and skin.

Thesaurus: light-complexioned, blonde, white-skinned, pallid, sallow, pale, whey-faced.
4. old use
Beautiful.
Thesaurus: attractive, lovely, beautiful, handsome, pretty, beauteous, comely; Antonym: ugly.
5. Quite good; reasonable.
6. Sizeable; considerable.
7. Said of weather: fine.

Thesaurus: clear, pleasant, sunny, bright, clement, placid, tranquil, balmy, mild; Antonym: stormy, threatening, overcast, cloudy.
8. Said of the wind: favourable.
9. Said of words: insincerely encouraging.

adverb

1. In a fair way.
2. dialect
Completely.

Derivative: fairly

See separate entry.

Derivative: fairness
noun

Idiom: be fair game

To deserve to be attacked or criticized.

Idiom: by fair means or foul

Using any possible means, even if dishonest.

Idiom: fair-and-square

Absolutely; exactly.

Honest and open.

Idiom: fair crack at the whip

Just treatment.

Idiom: fair enough

All right.

Idiom: in all fairness (to be fair)

One ought to remember or take into consideration, if one is fair; being scrupulously fair.

Idiom: stand fair with someone

To be in favour with them.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon fæger beautiful.

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means
singular or plural noun

1. The instrument or method used to achieve some object.

Thesaurus: method, way, mechanism, agency, system, machinery.
2. Wealth; resources.

Thesaurus: ability, capacity, wherewithal; funds, wealth, assets, resources.

Idiom: a means to an end

Something treated merely as a way of achieving a desired result, considered unimportant in every other respect.

Idiom: by all means

rather formal
Yes, of course.
Thesaurus: surely, yes, of course, certainly, positively, absolutely.

Idiom: by any means

Using any available method.
Thesaurus: in any way, somehow, anyhow, by hook or by crook.

Idiom: by fair means

See under fair.

Idiom: by means of something

With the help or use of it.

Idiom: by no means (not by any means)

Not at all; definitely not.
Thesaurus: never, no, in no way, definitely not, on no account.

Etymology: 17c: from mean³.