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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Nerar, Neirar, compar. a., adv. (and quasi-prep.) Also: ner-, neir-, neerer, nearrir, nyrar. [e.m.E. nerer (1560), neerer (1610), nearer (1535), compar. of Nere a.¹ and Nere adv.² Cf. also Nerrar.] Nearer, closer, in various senses of Nere a.¹ and Nere adv.²

1. adj. More closely related, more immediate (heirs). 1456 Hay I. 260/17.
For falt of nerar airis of his frendschip

2. adv. a. absol. b. Const to (unto).a. 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV. ii. 72.
And ȝeit I cum nae neirar bot sat in ane cheir at the bedfute a1578 Pitsc. II. 148/7.
They came no neirar nor Auchterardour c1590 Fowler I. 37/15.
After that I knew thame bothe I nerer did approche a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 657.
Neir is the kirtle but neirer is the sarkb. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 121/5.
In youre mariing of a godlie … uyfe for she man be neirer unto you then [etc.] 1630 Conv. Burghs III. 323.
Not to cum neirer to the schoire … then ane land kenning of the said schoire 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 51.
Lykeas the same [pestilence] wes come neirer to our selues 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 3.
It was called Catteynes as drawing neirer to the old name

3. prep. c1450-2 Howlat 47.
Nerar that noys [B. Nyrar that noyus] in nest I nechit in ane a1500 Henr. III. 106/8.
The moyr of age the nerar hewynnis blys a1500 Prestis of Peblis 648.
He as fule began guckit and gend And ay the wyser man neirar the end Ib. 202. 1549 Compl. 52/3. 1570 Leslie 125.
The Erle of Surry … durst approche na nearrir the said army a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1485.
The neirar the graive the grediar 1658 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 206.
The pleuche schoott … teillis out neirer and neirer the gate 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 89.
Neerer