A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Snair, Snar(e, v. P.p. also snairrit, snairde. [ME and e.m.E. snare(n (Wyclif), snaryn (Prompt. Parv.), snayre (1570); Sna(i)r(e n. Cf. Norw. snara.] tr., fig. To entrap, entangle, catch (in(to) a net, trap, etc.). Also reflex. b. To plot to do (something).1560 Rolland Seven S. 6369.
His awin falset snairit him in net 1567 G. Ball. 216.
Be thow not snairde in Venus snair 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 58.
Sic a ane as scho micht eislie snair his incontinence with wantoun allurementis 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 276.
Thei salbe snaired [Trans. snared] into the gyrne thei lay out for vtheris c1590 Fowler I 52/124.
I … was with the smyrcling of her eyes … than snared in hir lace 1591-2 Rob Stene 9.
Quhen thay persaifit hir turnis dispaird Thay saifit thame selff and left hir snaird [pr. smaird] 1599 Crim. Trials II 91.
Johne Carstairis hes bein … diuers tymes trappit and snairrit in his dowbill fraudes [etc.] 1615 Highland P. III 174.
The said act … being onlie maid to draw the brokin Ilismen to obedience and not to snair … lauchfull subiectis 1625 Justiciary Cases I 31.
We … sall be snaired and brocht in danger for that quhilk hes bene ane inviolable custome in all tyme byganereflex. a1599 Rollock Wks. I 414.
Snairing hir self in hir awin net 1611-57 Mure Sonn. iv 6.
Alace! … To snair myselfe in hope to be reliuedb. c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxxiii 34.
Becaus wickitt Iesabill, the quene, Eleas blod scho snair to spill
