'To bid fair' definitions:

Definition of 'To bid fair'

From: GCIDE
  • Bid \Bid\ (b[i^]d), v. t. [imp. Bade (b[a^]d), Bid, (Obs.) Bad; p. p. Bidden, Bid; p. pr. & vb. n. Bidding.] [OE. bidden, prop to ask, beg, AS. biddan; akin to OS. biddian, Icel. bi[eth]ja, OHG. bittan, G. bitten, to pray, ask, request, and E. bead, also perh. to Gr. teiqein to persuade, L. fidere to trust, E. faith, and bide. But this word was early confused with OE. beden, beoden, AS. be['o]dan, to offer, command; akin to Icel. bj[=o][eth]a, Goth. biudan (in comp.), OHG. biotan to command, bid, G. bieten, D. bieden, to offer, also to Gr. pynqa`nesqai to learn by inquiry, Skr. budh to be awake, to heed, present OSlav. bud[=e]ti to be awake, E. bode, v. The word now has the form of OE. bidden to ask, but the meaning of OE. beden to command, except in "to bid beads." [root]30.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. To make an offer of; to propose. Specifically : To offer to pay ( a certain price, as for a thing put up at auction), or to take (a certain price, as for work to be done under a contract). [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To offer in words; to declare, as a wish, a greeting, a threat, or defiance, etc.; as, to bid one welcome; to bid good morning, farewell, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Neither bid him God speed. --2. John 10. [1913 Webster]
  • He bids defiance to the gaping crowd. --Granrille. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To proclaim; to declare publicly; to make known. [Mostly obs.] "Our banns thrice bid !" --Gay. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To order; to direct; to enjoin; to command. [1913 Webster]
  • That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. --Pope [1913 Webster]
  • Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee. --Matt. xiv. 28 [1913 Webster]
  • I was bid to pick up shells. --D. Jerrold. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. To invite; to call in; to request to come. [1913 Webster]
  • As many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. --Matt. xxii. 9 [1913 Webster]
  • To bid beads, to pray with beads, as the Roman Catholics; to distinguish each bead by a prayer. [Obs.]
  • To bid defiance to, to defy openly; to brave.
  • To bid fair, to offer a good prospect; to make fair promise; to seem likely. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To offer; proffer; tender; propose; order; command; direct; charge; enjoin. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'To bid fair'

From: GCIDE
  • Fair \Fair\, adv. Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably. [1913 Webster]
  • Fair and square, justly; honestly; equitably; impartially. [Colloq.]
  • To bid fair. See under Bid.
  • To speak fair, to address with courtesy and frankness. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]