Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Larbar, Lairbair, a. and n. Also: larbair, -our. [Late ME. (once) larbre (1486), otherwise only Sc.: origin obscure.] a. adj. Exhausted, worn out, impotent. Also comb. with -lyke. b. n. An exhausted, worn out or impotent man.a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 169.
The larbar lukis of thy lang lene craig, Thy pure pynit thrott Id. Tua Mar. W. 175.
He has bene lychour so lang quhill lost is his natur, His lwme is vaxit larbar, and lyis into swoune 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvii. 95.
I trow thair be no denger, Becaus his lome is larbour grown and lidder 1603 Philotus cxl.
Mak nyce and gar the larbair lowne Beleue ȝe be a maydcomb. Ib. cxii.
Sa larbair-lyke lo as scho lyis, As raueist in a tranceb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 121.
Lene larbar, loungeour [M. Leyne lundyr and lairbair] baith lowsy in lisk and lonȝe Id. Tua Mar. W. 66.
We suld have feiris as fresche to fang quhen we wald, And gif all larbaris thair leveis, quhan thai lak curage Ib. 133.
Ȝit leit I neuer that larbar my leggis ga betueene … without a fee gret 1603 Philotus xxxv.
With ane lairbair for to ly, An auld deid stock, baith cauld and dry