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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Mere, n.² Also: mer, meir, meyr. Plur. meris etc., also merses. [ME. mer(e, (Layamon) mær, e.m.E. meer(e, mear, OE. (ᵹe)mære str. neut., ON. (landa-) mǽre. (Cf. also Landimer(e.)] A boundary.Only plur.(1) 1386 Bk. Carlaverock II. 418.
The merkis and the meris of the Kirktoun 1391 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 379.
Certane lymyt meris betwix [etc.] … Sua that theyn furth is the meris betwix the Bischape and the lord of Marr the burn of Condoll vp to [etc.] 1402 Scone Indenture.
The landis of the Cragtoun … with sic marchis & meris as thai had of ald tyme c1420 Wynt. i. 1202.
Alpes that ar hyllys hey Departand Ytaly fra Frawns, Be marchis, merys and distawns Ib. viii. 4020.
The thryd castelle … Dame Crystyane … Held wyth knychtis and sqwyeris That reddyt abowt thame welle thare merys 1428 Liber Melros 520.
The saide assis … syne rade about Petillishugh be the merkis & the meris 14.. Acts I. 57/2. 1446 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 245.
The merchis and meris betwix the said landis debatabile in maner as folowis 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 201.
Our landis of Parcyis … with thar diuers meris and merchis as tha ar acordyt … betwixt tham self 1518–19 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XVI. 103.(2) 1605 Stewart Mem. 114.
Jhone Stewart … winis fewall [etc.] … within the proper bindis merses and meithis thairof

b. Attrib. (as place-name) in mereburn and merefurde. See also Mere-stane. c 1170 Liber Dryburgh 267.
A loco ubi Merburne cadit in Leder a 1200 Liber Melros 86.]
[Usque in Mereburnam ? a 1300 Reg. Neubotle 23.
Sicut Louthburne cadit in Mereburne 1446 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 246.
Begynnande at the meir burn as it rynnys don to Goudy Ib.
In the first the meir burne thro the merefurde ? 15.. Chart. Coupar A. I. 201.
Ascendendo ad lie meirburne 1609 Acts IV. 443/2.
And doun the meirburne to … Rowaneburne