A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Vyre, Wyr(e, n. Also: vir(e, wir(e. [ME fyre (Gower), vire (c1400), vyre (c1425), OF vire.] A bolt for a cross-bow. Also with reference to the speed of the bolt in flight.(1) 1375 Barb. v 597.
Ik haiff bot a bow & a wyr [C. vyre, H. wyre] c1420 Wynt. i 198.
He wes the fyrste at schot in bowe Wyth vyre [C. vire] or bolt or wyth arowe 1538 Treas. Acc. VII 28.
Item, gevin for ane corce bow in Sanct Germanis witht xij genȝes … gevin for ane dowsoun of wiris to the kingis grace xxxvj s. 1621 Fam. Seton MS 24 May.
Suim [sc. bows] yiow left me seruis me als weill now as then. It is bot greate viris decayis fast and soune(2) a1500 Lanc. 1091.
The red knycht, byrnyng in loues fyre, Goith to o knycht, als swift as ony vyre a1500 Lanc. 3288.
His spere he straucht, and swift as any wyre With al his fors the nerest feld he soght 1513 Doug. v xi 16.
Thys virgyn sprent on swyftly as a vyre, And throu the clowdis hir trace, quhar scho went, Schupe lyke a bow of diuers hewis ment
