Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LEAR, v. Also leir. [Sc. li:r, em.Sc.(a) le:r]

1. To teach, instruct.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 112:
God's Bairn is eith to lear.Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 182:
Lears him to read an' featly wyre his claise. . . An' gin he likes, can lear him too to write.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 193:
Nae dominie, or wise mess John, Was better lear'd in Solomon.Mry. 1806 J. Cock Hamespun Lays 18:
It's wrang to lift worth, wi' a bla', And lear it prots it never saw.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 73:
Deep, deep he's lear'd, ilk kittle phrase he kens.wm.Sc. 1832 Whistle Binkie (1853) 44:
'Twas then we sat on ae laigh bink, To leir ilk ither lear.m.Sc. 1988 William Neill Making Tracks 53:
I cawd a muckle stane ...
it sklifft alang the ice: it didna brek ...
I shauchled oot a yaird and back again ...
nou leirit tae be cannie like the feck.

2. To learn, acquire knowledge, ascertain. Phr. †not to lear, not to be, or incapable of being, learned.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 13:
As the old Cock crows, the young Cock lears.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 51:
Frae her I lear't poor Nory's chance an' yours.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 154:
Ye're come to town to lear' good breeding.m.Lth. 1801 H. MacNeill Poet. Wks. II. 143:
'Twas then my native strains ye lear'd.e.Lth. 1885 J. Lumsden Rural Rhymes 32:
Sin syne, auld comrade, I am here; But this by thee seems not to lear.Sc. 1927 L. Spence Weirds & Vanities 3:
Ye can speir, ye can speir … But ye never shall leir.