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.
Hyre, Hire, v. Also: hyir, heir(e. [ME. hire, hyre, earlier west midl. and south. huyre(n, hure(n (c 1205), OE. hýran, hýrian.]
1. tr. To engage for payment, employ (a person); to hire (an animal or thing).(1)c1420 Bute MS. fol. 172 b.
A maystyr of a schip hyris his meine1456 Hay I. 144/22.
Sen he was feit and hyrit to defend the contree Ib. 146/30.
And he had bene hyrit and wagit for every moneth severaly 1558 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 20.
That certane gunneris … be hyrit for handling … of the townyis monitioun 1581 Sat. P. xliv. 202.
Sa man ȝour advocattis … be hyrit 1596 Dalr. I. 183/13.
He hyres for wage twa cutthrotis to put doune the King 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 138.
Giff the skipper be myndit to brek bowk before he cum to the place quhair he was hyrit 1684 Glamis Bk. Rec. 18.
Who heired a factor called John Smith(2) 1456 Hay I. 235/4.
The quhilkis [ambassadors] … hyris … hors and cartis … to led thair gere with to Paris 1515 Treas. Acc. V. 39.
To hyre thaime horses 1548 Ib. IX. 224.
Hyrat to thame thre hors1627 Rep. Parishes 37.
Becaus they hyre the gressing of thair oxin in summer
b. reflex. and intr. To engage oneself as an employee.?14.. Ship Laws in Adv. MS. fol. 160 b.
Schipmen hiris thaim with thar maisteris1622-6 Bisset II. 251/5.
Sic personis as makis dowbill couditioun, and hyris theme selfis to twa sindrie maisteris 1669 Ayr & Wigt. Coll. IV. 88.
James Dunlop … persued Margaret Langwill … in not entering to him in service … conforme to the bargane he made with her at Beltaine last, and though shee did reallie hyre with him, set herself with Johne Dunlop
c. Also As thay war hyrit, 'as if they had been paid to do so', willingly, eagerly, speedily.15.. Sym & Bruder 31, 35.
[They] Fure furth as thay war hyrit, ... Come hame as thay war hyrit1535 Stewart 56558.
Rurall men ... to saif thair lyfe Fra hill to hill rynnand as tha war hyrit
2. tr. To let out on hire.1580 Inverness Rec. II. 277.
That ... ye ... hes hyrit your horses to the locht Nes wyth aill; ... Comperit the
forsaidis personis and confessit to haif hyrit thair horses to Nicoll
Kar1622-6 Bisset II. 254/15.
Gif it happynnis that ane burges hes hyred a house or lattin a schip to ane man for certane ȝeiris for ane summe 1683 Elgin Rec. I. 332.
Libertie to the saids hyrers to hyre there horses … to anie inhabitant
