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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.

Er(e, Eir, adv. Also: her, eere, 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 Ib. xvi. 486.
Than Dowglas blithar wes than ere a1400 Leg. S. i. 122.
He dois now, As ere did is mastere Ihesu 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 R. 310.
Gif thow will knaw and lere The gret wanting I spek of ere Ib. 1426.
As I ere said c1420 Wynt. v. 3380 (W).
The ȝoungest of the brether thre, That Constantius eere callit we(b) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 365.
The bischop … In the kirk befor the altere Lad it, fresche as it wes eyre c1420 Ratis R. 1736.
Richt sa gret eild has tynt that thing, That it eir knew Brus xix. 399.
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 C. 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