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 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wer(e, v.² Also: weir(e, wyr, war, var. [ME and e.m.E. weorre(n (Ancr. R.), werre (Manning), were(n (Wyclif), war (1523), OF guerrer.]Cf. Werray v. to which some quots. with final e spelling may belong.

1. intr.To make war (aganis, (vp)on, etc. a people, in a country, amang one another, etc.); also transf. to struggle, fight with.(1) pres. ?1438 Alex. ii 3106, 3108.
Of my fatheris dede We ar annoyit … For quhill he leuit, the auld Clarus Durst neuer come to were on vs, But alssone as he was dede, He shupe to were this on our stede c1420 Wynt. vii 3112 (W).
The king of France Lowis To weire on Goddis innemys Passit in the Halyland 1525 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 220.
That nane of thame tak apoun hand to pas in weirefair be sey without thai optene speciale licence of our soverane lord grauntit thame and apoun quhat cuntreis and landis thai sall optene licence and leif to weir 1596 Dalr. I 158/4.
Cesius Nasica … passis in Gallouay, he weiris with the confederat kingis vncertane victorie [marg. The Romanis prepares to weir vpon the Scottis, peice takne agane](b) a1500 Lanc. 1535.
Oft it makith vther kingis by To wer on them in trast of victory 1533 Boece 196a.
Diocleciane … be rebelliouns was almaist opprest, Achilleus conspiring in Egipt, the quinquegencians infesting Affric and Narseus wering in the orient that [etc.](c) 1563 Chron. Fortirgall 132.
Pece and rest excep the lard of Glenvrquhay wyryth aganis Clangregorp.t. ?1438 Alex. ii 3886.
Thay playit sa lang, And warred ay vther amang a1538 Abell 42a.
Than warit Wortigern aganis the Scottis and Pichtistransf. 1609 Garden Garden 30.
What a madnesse is't, That but remorse or feare, I with my God almost, His word And will reveild I weir(2) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 287.
The wy that wendis for to were quhen he wenys best c1475 Wall. iii 217.
He sparyt nane that abill was to wer a1585 Arbuthnot in Maitl. Q. 96/199.
The geir for quhilk thay weir Is not the worse a prein

2. tr.To make war on; to fight; to harass, annoy. 1602 Cal. Sc. P. XIII 1080.
[The other which is Daniel (who] varith [Mr. Mowbray in penning a great deal) has desired the King in his letter to hasten the time of fight] ?1438 Alex. ii 7484.
Of auld Clarus, that loud and still Vs weiris and destroyis our land 14.. Acts I 23/2.
Gif a burges at wonnys in the burgh … challangis that … churl of ony thyng quharof batayle may ryse the churl agaynis the burges may were hym with batayle