A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rere, Reir, v.1 [ME rere to retreat, or cause to retreat (c1330), aphetic for arere to retreat (c1340), to keep back (c1525), OF arerer, later arierer, arrierer to put back, draw back.] intr. To go backwards; to fall back, retreat. —c1475 Wall. vii 1192.
The … ost bak rerit off that place Ib. (1570) x 355.
The worthy Scottis thay reirit [MS weryt] far on bak
