I. ˈfā verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English feien, from Old English fēgan; akin to Old Saxon fōgian to fit, join, Old High German fuogen to fit, join, Latin pangere to fasten — more at pact
transitive verb
in shipbuilding : to fit, fasten, or join closely or tightly
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to fit closely together or nicely especially against something else (as a surface)
paint a faying surface before making an overlapping metal joint
— often used with in, into, with, or together
b. archaic : agree , jibe
2. dialect England : succeed , prosper
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English feien, from Old Norse fægja to clean, polish; akin to Old Norse fāga to clean, decorate — more at fair
dialect Britain : clean : clear away — often used with up or out
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English fai, fei, from Old French fei — more at faith I
obsolete : faith
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English faie, fei someone or something enchanted, from Middle French fee, feie fairy — more at fairy
: fairy , elf
V. adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English faie having magical powers, enchanted, from faie, fei, n.
: like an elf
a fay and delicate daughter
VI. noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps by shortening
slang : ofay