Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Char, Cher, v. [ME. char, charre, cherre, OE. cerran (cierran). Cf. Chare v.] tr. To cause to turn aside or back. Also absol. a1500 Henr. Fab. 304 (A).
The spensar had na laser for to byd, To sers, to seike, to char, nor ȝit to chase a1500 Bk. Chess 1318.
Havand … In his left hand a wand to cher & kepe Fra corne & haye boith hors & scheipe 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 168.
It sufficis vs to … stand on rowme, quhair better folk bene charrit 1513 Doug. ii. iv. 43.
Lyke as a bull … charris by the ax with his nek wight Ib. v. viii. 14.
He metis hym thar, and charris hym with a chak