A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1600
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Er(e, Eir, adv. Also: her, eer(e, eyr(e, eire. [ME. ere, er, OE. ǽr. Cf. Are adv.]
1. Before, formerly, previously.(a) 1375 Barb. xii. 475.
Quhen this wes said that er said I 1375 Ib. xvi. 486.
Than Dowglas blithar wes than ere a1400 Legends of the Saints i. 122.
He dois now, As ere did is mastere Ihesu a1400 Ib. vii. 836.
To byge the towne quhare it her wes c1420 Wynt. iv. 482.
Hale the ost removyde were, As I yhowe tauld a lytill ere c1420 Ratis Raving 310.
Gif thow will knaw and lere The gret wanting I spek of ere c1420 Ib. 1426.
As I ere said c1420 Wynt. v. 3380 (W).
The ȝoungest of the brether thre, That Constantius eere callit we(b) a1400 Legends of the Saints ii. 365.
The bischop … In the kirk befor the altere Lad it, fresche as it wes eyre c1420 Ratis Raving 1736.
Richt sa gret eild has tynt that thing, That it eir knew 1487 Brus xix. 399 (C).
The tothir crakkis war of wer That thai befor herd neuir eir a1500 Bk. Chess 1616.
This merchand that I eir of tald 1513 Doug. iv. vi. 37.
This ilke cursyt fame, we spak of eyr c1550 Rolland Court of Venus iii. 825.
Sa to purpois quhair of I spak lang eir
2. As ere as, as soon as, as readily as.1456 Hay I. 166/4.
Alset it war pasche day als ere as fastyn evin day 1535 Stewart 49244.
Thinkand it wes ane policie to preif Trubill and pane, … As eir as to leve ay in welthfulnes
3. In combs. eer farnyher, the year before last; eer-ȝisterday, the day before yesterday. 1488 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 400.
Memorandum that the balyheis of eer farnyher and farnyher sal, apon Friday next to cum, comper in the tolbuth of this burghe 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 397.
We haue contenit our selfis sen ȝisterday and eerȝisterday quhen we come out
