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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Care, Cair, v. Also: cayre. [ME. care, early carie(n, OE. carian, f. Care, n.]

1. intr. To take care, have regard (for a person or thing). Also with by, or infin. 1533 Gau 44/25.
[This] hes strinthit al the marthers … quhilk suffert deid and payne … sua that they carit noth thairfor a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xviii. 13.
As na man war that for this cuntre carit Ib. clxxviii. 48.
The nobillis … cairis nocht for ryddin hors a1605 Montg. Son. lxix. 8.
Feir God … And cair not by Dame Fortuns fead a fle 1590 Burel Pilgr. i. xx.
Thay for meit caird not ane myte 1615 Highland P. III. 265.
They caire not how much they … put his Maiestie to charges needles

2. tr. To care for, have regard for. 1560 St. A. Kirk S. 36.
William granttes thir wordes, ‘The Devill cayre the Kirk’ a1578 Pitsc. I. 169/31.
He cairit not the weillfair of the realme Ib. 294/11.
He cairis ȝow nocht in his iust quarrell a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxii. 9.
I cair the not a cute 1611-57 Mure Misc. P. xix. 4.
Must I wnpittied still remain, … Nothing caird 1612 James VI in Ellis Orig. Lett. 2 Ser. III. 106.
So prowde of youre new patrone as ye littill care youre olde freindis

3. To be reluctant, to have objections. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 61; Ib. 6361.
The hartis of all his folk wan he, That nane cairit to wair with him thair life a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcix. 26.
Thair is mony ane that litle cairis To putt bayth saule and lyfe in jeoperdie Id. Ib. cix. 7.
Now me to spulȝie sum not spairis; To tak my geir no captane cairis