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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.

Mar(e, Mair(e, a., n.³ and adv. Also: mayr(e, mayir, maer, mer, meir, meair. [North. ME. mar(e, midl. and south. more, OE. mára (fem. and neut. máre). Cf. also Mor(e.] Used as the compar. of Mekill, Mikill.Mare and (or, nor) les, les and (nor) mare, see Les a. 3 and 4. Mare and (na, ne, nor) min, see Min a.

A. adj. 1. Larger in physical size. 1375 Barb. xix. 497 (E).
Thai bet thair fyris and maid thaim mar [: far v.] c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 2955.
Sche [the whale] haid ane mouth was mare nor ony tun a 1500 Coll. St. Salvator 160.
Four siluer crowatis tua mair and tua les 1490 Irland Mir. I. 58/31.
Ane of the sternis is mare than all the erd c1500 Rowll Cursing 228. 1508 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 118.
At thai haif thair wechtis les and mair convenient thairfore 1531 Bell. Boece I. xlii.
[The] capercailye, ane foul mair than ane ravin Ib. li.
Thair hors ar litill mair than asinis Id. Livy I. 69/31.
King Tullus sett out his ciete with mare boundis & tuke in Mont Celius 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1504.
For gif this plant gat the substance … That this tre gettis, belyue it wald grow mair Nor is the auld Ib. 1695. c 1570 Lennox Mun. 276.
ii pottis, ane les and ane mair 1576 Orkney Oppress. 41.
The Duchemenis can, that they tax the beir with, is litill mair nor ane Scottis chappin 1581 Burne Disput. 32 b.
Tua bodeis … requirand of thair auin nature ane mair place, quhairin thay may be comprehendit a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1468.
The mother of mischeif is na mair nor a midgewing 1622-6 Bisset II. 51/12.
This Ile of Man contenis as it war twa ilandis, the first is southwardis and the mair cuntrie

b. Greater in quantity or amount, having more constituents; (also, with nouns of size or measurement) larger, greater.At mare lenth, see Lenth n. 8 (4).(1) 1398–9 Acts I. 211/1.
With consail of the mare and halare parte of the said consailours c1420 Wynt. i. 385.
[Noah's ark], Thowcht on hycht it narowe wes, Wndyr rowme of mare larges 14.. Acts I. 6/2.
Gif ony man appelis an othir … of thyft and he put in his clame a mar some of mone than he was possessyt of 14.. Burgh Laws c. 97 (B).
Hydis of mare prise c 1439 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 190.
Al appoyntmentis in thar indenturis beande wnfulfyllyt sal be reformyt and fulfyllyt ande gif that be made mar to lay that fra hym c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 3108.
Duk Betis … priuelie put in a mare garnisoun … in the toun of Tyre 1476 Hay Geneal. Sainteclaires 82.
The les half of Logan house … the mare half of Pentlande 1476 Fam. Innes 82.
Aucht score of merkis … in the reste … of a mare some … awande til ws 1477 Buccleuch Mun. II. 75.
A mar sowme of ane hundredth merkis ekit apon a new reuersioun maid 1482 Edinb. Chart. 155.
At mar lenth a1500 Sir Eger 828.
Seven winters he it bare; His lifetime was butlittle mare 1568 Lyndesay Pref. 10.
The mair part of thame hes bene sindrie tymes … imprentit 1574 Acts III. 94/1.
That na licencis be grantit vpoun ony mair quantitie nor may be transportit in ane veschell attanys 1635 Glasgow Trades House 176.
To by ane new ane [sc. a bell] of ane lytle mair quantatie 1656–7 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 537.
Recevvit … in pairt payment of ane mair sowme(2) 1575 Goudie Shetl. Antiq. 180.
Quhilk is thre or four merkis mair nor just

c. The more extended and formal (version of a grant under the Great as against the Privy Seal). — 1526 Reg. Great S. I. 517/2.
This his licence … salbe of … als grete strenth … as an the samyn war maid … in the mare forme under his grete sele

d. The greater of two (places of the same name): cf. Les a. A 1 c. c1420 Wynt. viii. 1522.
The yle off Mare Bretane Ib. i. 14. Ib. v. 4290 (W). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 188/16.
Mair Scotland, now callit Irland Ib. 187/31 (see Les a. A 1 c).

2. Of more or less measurable things: A larger quantity or amount of. ?1438 Alex. i. 34.
To the vale of Josaphas, That of mair stoir aboundand was … Than ony vtherland c1515 Asl. MS. I. 155/15.
Affrica has … mar wildernes & waist landis … than Europia c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 133.
Thow skaffis and beggis mair beir and aitis Nor ony cripill in Karrik land abowt a1578 Pitsc. I. 14/12.
Alexander Erle of Douglas beand potent in mair kine and freindis 1601 St. A. Baxter Bks. 65.
That na brother of craft … pay mair knaship nor ane straikit leipie and ane half of flowre for ilk bag of quheit grinding

b. More numerous. = Ma a. c1420 Wynt. v. 1341.
Mare chargis on hys bak to lay Than he mycht lychtly bere away c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 414.
For the langar he leif, the mar synis and mar payne … and the schortar the les Brus vi. 521 (C).
The kyng that na supposing had Thai war no mair [E. That thai war ma] than he saw thair a1578 Pitsc. I. 294/11.
He will … fight witht ȝow thocht ȝe war ten tymes mair nor hie

3. Of non-material things: a. Greater in degree, quality or effect.Except where the noun phrase contains the indef. article, not usu. distinguishable from:

b. A larger quantity or amount of (as prec. sense).(a) 1375 Barb. i. 224.
Quhat wrechitnes may man have mar [: war]? Ib. ii. 170.
Thair frendschip woux ay mar & mar Ib. iii. 667.
Angus … for mar sekyrnes gaiff him syne Hys castell c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 2482.
Rycht as I haue greter gouernall I haue mare charge vexatioun and travell c1450 Cr. Deyng (S.T.S.) 125.
It is nedfull to al men … to knaw that his synis aw to have mar pwnyscioune than he may tholl c1475 Wall. xi. 851.
Off this contrak he had a mar plesance Than of fyn gold [etc.] 1471 Acta Aud. 11/1.
And gif thai oxin be of mare vale, he to restor again the remanent 1479 Acta Conc. 45/2.
Our souuerain lord sall ger seke … mare information of the richt of his hienes c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 53/26.
The mare cherite that the persone haue. the maire knawlege, ioy & glore he sall haue in hevin 1513 Doug. vii. ii. 100.
Abuf this, eik, betyd a mar farly c1520-c1535 Nisbet Hebr. xi. 4.
Be faith Abel offrit a mekile mare sacrifice 1533 Bell. Livy II. 60/25.
To haue the mare indignatioun to iois ony office, that sic seditious men war machit with thame in authorite 1604-31 Craig ii. 52.
My cares … Ouermatcheth thine, tho thy mishaps were mare(b) 1432 Lamont P. 14.
[They] for the mayr evydens to thir indenturis … has set thar selis c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1566.
His helm was teit ouir mekill to the syde Till haue mair sicht 1492 Myll Spect. 278/14.
I … referres that to woman to quhom it pertenis to maire nerenes a1500 Prestis of Peblis 116.
Ane questioun I haue … That in my mynd is evire maire & maire c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlix. 20.
The fell strong tratour, Donald Owyr, Mair falsett had nor vdir fowyr Ib. lxxxiii. 7.
Of all my mycht, thocht it war mair 1549 Compl. 14/3.
Ther can nocht be ane mair folye as quhen ane ydiot … presumis to teche [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet II. 61/2.
That afore wes haldin in litil reuerence, the self thing eftir to be haldin in mair reuerence 1590 Burel Pilgr. i. xxxiv.
Bot ay the tempest did acres, And na wais lykin to grow les, Bot rather to be mair 1596 James VI Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxxviii.
I trust ye sall finde maire stuffe in him nor kythis outuardelie a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 776.
The mair haste, the war speid a1628 Carmichael Prov. 1045.
Let it never do yow mair gud nor gras dois dogs(c) 1594 Conv. Burghs I. 448.
Intending … to bring in ane meir confusioun … be making … all sort of pepill equall … with thame [sc. craftsmen] 1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 269.
For the meir securetie 1664 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) 22 June.
For the mer verificatione heirof

4. Of greater importance, significance or power, superior; also, better endowed with (of) a quality. a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 152.
Sanct Petir first and syne Androw, James the mare and John alswa Ib. iv. 8, v. 18. Ib. ii. 46, 50.
Paule wes les in his degre And in sum othir mar wes he And als in-to sum othir thinge He wes to Petir as ewelinge For Paule wes lese of dingnite Bot into prechinge mare wes he Ib. xvi. 41.
Mar is mercy than mysded Ib. xxxii. 555.
I se wele now The crucyfit is mare than thu 14.. Acts I. 6/2.
That na man aw to thol iugment fra a les persoun than fra his peir … bot a les persoun may be iugit be a mar persoun 1456 Hay I. 36/31.
Gif ȝe will wit quhilk [ancient empire] was mekle mare na othir, that was the first and the last c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1838.
Supois he be … Hiear than I … And mare of strenth of that I gif na force 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 177.
Gif He mycht think a mar thing than He is He war mar in His thocht … na in His essens c1510 Prester John 310.
We … confessis … the name of ane preist is mair and wordiar thane the name of ane kyng a1538 Abell 87 a.
To the mair part of ȝour argument I sa [etc.]

5. Additional in quantity or number to what has been mentioned; further; still more. 1375 Barb. ix. 408 (E).
But mar let a1400 Leg. S. x. 18.
[Matthew] went with Criste but mar byddyng 1389 Reg. Cambuskenneth 261.
That thai [cattle] aucht nocht for to be had out of that lordschip withouttin mare proces ?1438 Alex. i. 2120.
Nane laser mair to carpe haue we 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Ȝhe desir rather amendis of attemptatz done agayn the trewis than ony mar harme war done tharfor c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxii. 79.
Agane thai raisit him on hie, Reddie mair turmentis for to mak c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 672.
Wer not Frenchemen come to the redding, Thair had bene mekill mair blude shedding 1558 Black Bk. Taymouth 124.
The great snaw began on Yowl da at ewyn and ilk da fra that furth mayr and mayr snaw 1567 Melville Corr. II. 7.
Caus Servais my conseirge send me mair twynd silk 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 171.
The said James grantit the … ressaving of the said beir … And the baillies absolvis the said James fra ane firlot of mair beir 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 63 a.
For vii stane half of small takell to be wellding and mar tekell at xlvi s. the stane 1685 Sinclair Satan's Inv. World 219.
God send me mair silver, amen

b. With plural noun. Cf. 2 b. c1515 Asl. MS. I. 195/18.
A hundreth mar thingis of the quhilkis ȝe sall heir efterwart 1533 Bell. Livy II. 121/10.
That he nocht onelie suld defraude thame … bot als boist thame with mare iniuris

B. absol. and noun. 1. absol. use of the adj.: He who, or that which, is greater.Also the mair of aige, the older.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 696.
The ewangeliste Gef sic sted to the Baptiste As to the mare 1456 Hay I. 180/13.
For sa ȝede ordour bakwart qwhen the les ledis the mare(2) 1562-3 Winȝet II. 58/24.
Gif the partes of the aige weiwe out thai membris, schape and forme in the mair of aige, quhilkis … the Makar of al had formit … in the ȝoung anis(3) c1420 Wynt. viii. 6033.
The grettast menyd man … Off his state or off mare be fare

2. a. Something that is more; a greater amount or quantity; also, a greater number. Also ? something that is larger or heavier.(1) 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
He has saide mar in myn absence than he dar awow in my presens 1456 Hay I. 137/6.
He that will pay mare na he aw Ib. II. 152/21.
Thou may mare conquest bathe of ryches and honour with thair wisedome … na with bataill c1475 Wall. ii. 30.
He wald lyft mekill mar Than ony twa c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 295. 1533 Balfour Pract. 517. 1578 Conv. Burghs I. 64.
Assythment … sould be modifyit be the judge, sumtimes mair, sumtimes les a1605 Montg. Son. xlix. 3. 1622 Black Bk. Taymouth 362.
Mar(b) 14.. Edinb. Univ. MS. La.ii.318.
Ane gude man prayand mair win may Than ane thousand knychtis 1489 Murray Kilmacolm 237.
As thai had spendyt mayre na thai gat 1515 Douglas Corr. 69.
He … hes beyne the instrument of mekyll harme, and I dreyd sall ȝit be of mayre 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 9.
Thys classe sal reid … Cicero sum thyng mair than classis onder thayme c1575 Balfour Pract. 199.
Gif the land … extendis to … four oxen-gang, or to mair 1596 Dalr. II. 283/21. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1083.
Love may meikle, but money may mair 1682 Lauder's Observes App. iv. 306.
This is mair nor needs(2) c1475 Wall. viii. 397.
Off fyne gold … Mar than in Troy was fund a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 318.
The maire of abstynens, ay the les desyre Ib. 639. 1557 Peebles B. Rec. I. 236.
William … desyrit bakwart of the said sovme mair nor he aucht till haif geving(3) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 117/20.
To resaue sa mony euangelis … as ȝe do and nane ma [MS. mayr]

b. A greater quantity, number, length of time, etc., than (na, nor) (the following figure). 1456 Hay I. 57/24.
Thare deid … of the Romaynis mare than xxiiii thousand Brus v. 47 (C).
Bot mair [E. ma] than twa part of his rout [etc.] 1497–8 Acta Conc. II. iii.
That thai hald na alderman langyr in his office maire than ane yeire 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 174.
Gif it [a repair] beis mair nor a fut of glace in ane place

3. Something else in addition to what has already been specified; something further, still more. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 934.
Of the twa last spek me ne list Bot I will say mare of the firste c1420 Wynt. vi. 2139.
Than Malcolme sayd ‘Thare is mare That lettys me wyth thé to fare’ 1456 Hay II. 59/1.
Ever mare and mare he conquest, and ever mare and mare delt till his men c1475 Wall. iii. 269.
He will do mair … or that he blyne Ib. x. 1063.
Off King Eduuard ȝeit mar furth will I meill c1508 Ch. & M. Prints iii a. 60.
Ye ar a knyght of lytill lande … mekill walde haf mare 1517 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 43.
He kennes [etc.] … and mair he kennis nocht 1521–2 G. Douglas in Ellis Orig. Lett. 3 Ser. I. 301.
Mekle mayr has bene sayd c 1522 Doug. in Doug. (Sm.) I. ci.
Quharby perauentur I sall knaw sum pert mayr of his mynd a1586 Lindsay MS. 39 b.
Gif ye will mair heirof, demand the auld harrauldis 1590 Crim. Trials I. ii. 196.
Thow sperit at him gif he had mair of the poysane 1598 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 25 a.
Ane thousand mar of fesche 1596 Dalr. I. 205/25. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 637. c1616 Hume Orthog. 30.
The comparative excedes the positive be mare, and is formed … be adding er 1625 Misc. Spald. C. V. 223.
Whosoeuer transportis any mair aff thair labouring … sall pay [etc.]

b. That is more than (na etc.), additional to, over and above (what follows). 14.. Burgh Laws c. 94 (A).
All the ramanande that he gettis mar than the dett 14.. Acts I. 30/2.
Na greyff nor na dystroblans sal be done til hym mar than he has c1460 Vert. Mess (S.T.S.) 193/33.
The tyme of the mes that a man heris lenthis his lyf sa lang mar na [etc.] 1485 Lag Chart. 54.
Thre akeris of land … mare than thai had in possessioune in tymis bigane 1497 Halyb. 104.
I haff of his to war mar than is varit, 4 li. 1516 Reg. Privy S. I. 440/2. 1555 Edinb. Hammermen 200 b.
With vther libertis mare nor thai hald befor 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 57 b.
Geuene … mar nor was promest him xii lib. 1624 Black Bk. Taymouth 365.
That ilk country cadger sall haive 4 d. mair for ilk lipe of salt nor straingeris getis

4. And (sum dele, lytill, mekill) mare, or (lytill) mare, with the (also, with sum) mare, added to expressions of quantity, number, etc., indicate that the actual figure or amount is (somewhat, much) larger than that stated: = and (somewhat etc.) more, or more.(1) 1375 Barb. xi. 237 (E).
Off fechtand men I trow thai war Thretty thowsand and sum dele mar a1400 Leg. S. iii. 779. ?1438 Alex. ii. 476.
The steppis … Of fyue fute breid and lytill mare 1424 Acts II. 4/2.
A colt of thre ȝer and mare of eild 1456 Misc. Bann. C. III. 94.
iiij of markis and mair a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 72.
Quhen Diomed had all his appetyte, And mair, fulfillit of this fair ladie a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 480.
Be it wes mydmorne and mare a1500 Seven S. 1032.
All clething yneugh & mare Ib. 1459.
I haf gret caus & maire c1500 Fyve Bestes 132.
A kyngis ransoun it was worth & maire a1508 Kynd Kittok 17. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2808.
[He] had spendit his rent and mekill mair 1562-3 Winȝet I. 44/4.
We ar rycht sorie that this is treu for the maist part and mair 1563 St. A. Kirk S. 165.
xviij yearis of aige and mayir 1604-31 Craig v. 9/21.(2) 1375 Barb. viii. 175 (E).
A bowdraucht or mar ?1438 Alex. ii. 4226.
Ane span or lytill mare c1420 Wynt. viii. 6434. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1507. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1183 (Ch.).
Worth fyue schilling or mair 1522–3 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 67.
The quey … was tua ȝer ald and ane halff or mar 1576 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. i.
Thay remanit thairefter vpoun xx dayis or mair(3) 1470 Prestwick B. Rec. 5.
Four rodis witht the mar, liande [etc.] 1476 Acta Aud. 55/2.
Ane chenȝe of gold weyand foure vnce & a half with the mare 1488 Ib. 114/2. 1488 Prestwick B. Rec. 327.
He acht him xv merkis of mone with the mare till gud compt 1500–1 Acta Conc. II. 495.
Of the aig of xiiij yeris with the mare 1502 Reg. Privy S. I. 112/2. 1505 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 92. 1507 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 163. 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 178.
Of scheip … xviij score wytht the maire 1527 Carnwath Baron Ct. MS. 50 b.
iij bollis of aittis with the mair 1562 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 48.
At viii houris at evin with the mair 1564 Warrender P. I. 44.
Thir thrie yeiris with the mair 1573 Reg. Privy S. VI. 404.
[Remaining at the horn] yeir and day with the mair 1575 Conv. Burghs I. 38.
The sovme grantit … is, with the mair, collectit alraddy 1575 Glasgow Chart. I. ii. 164. 1593 Acts IV. 12/2.
Efter I haid knokit sex sindrie knokis with the mair at the ȝettis 1622-6 Bisset I. 4/8.
He wes crucified … in the threttie thrid [year] of His aige with sum mair: viz. ane quarter ȝeir or thairby

5. But, foroutin, withoutin etc. (any) mare. a. Without anything or anyone else, in all, and that was (is) all. 1375 Barb. xiii. 422 (E).
Only in early verse, chiefly or only as a rhyming tag. For thai … lynnyn clathys had but mar a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 891.
Twa lafis & ane half but mare ?1438 Alex. (c 1580) i. 902.
[The enemy] ma than xxx thousand wair And thai bot seuin houndreth but mair c1420 Wynt. viii. 4140.
Twa men … And a chawmbyr boy wythowtyn mare c1475 Wall. iii. 88.
He war A steylle capleyne in his bonet but mar

b. Without more delay, at once, immediately. 1375 Barb. xii. 10 (E).
Only in verse. Quhethir thai wald herbry thaim that nycht Or than but mar ga to the fycht a1400 Leg. S. v. 426.
And he lape one forowtyne mare ?1438 Alex. ii. 414. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1932.
Beter it war it [the helmet] strukin fra him haid bene Quentlie but mair a1500 Henr. Orph. 94. a1500 Prestis of Peblis 165.
That thai suld foroutin mare His questioun … declare a1500 Seven S. 1122.
Quhen he the rusche herd in the well … He wend scho had bene deid but maire c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiv. 89. 1513 Doug. xi. iii. 47.
Athir towartis otheris turnys but mayr c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 172. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i. 802.
Inclining law but mair this nimph [etc.] Id. Seven S. 2032. Ib. 6626. 1580-92 James VI Lusus R. 14.
He countis you done. & hopes, but ony maire, His time about to uinn the chimlay nuik

C. adv. 1. To a greater extent or in a greater degree, more greatly, more.(1) 1375 Barb. i. 239.
[He] suld think fredome mar to prys Than [etc.] Ib. vi. 89 (E).
He stude still for till herkyn mar a1400 Leg. S. iii. 188.
The self ded sal marlik me Than [etc.] 14.. Burgh Laws c. 25 (B).
And he lufe his son that is ayre mare then ony vthir c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 331.
Mar is [prayer] lowabile to God with a mek man na a pridfull 1456 Hay I. 216/15.
And ȝit I say mare na before that it is nocht expedient [etc.] c1460 Consail Vys Man 23.
Quhethir mar thow fauoris gud ore ill 1485 Acts II. 170/2.
For tha ar mar agane justice na plane remissions ar 1531 Bell. Boece I. 23.
He desirit na thing mair than to prolong the battal c1590 Fowler I. 314/59.(2) c1420 Wynt. viii. 2064.
Mare cumryd off that blode he was 1456 Hay II. 13/27.
A man … is mare enclynit to be tempit … na is the womman 1492 Myll Spect. 282/2. 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 106.
I ame rycht evill taryit to get men to threis the corne and mar taryit to myll it 1531 Bell. Boece I. xix.
This ile … is mair extendit to the lenth than breid c1590 Fowler II. 89/29. a1605 Montg. Son. xi. 7.(3) 1375 Barb. ii. 271 (E).
Thai sall fer mair be awise And weill mar for to dreid, then thai War set sumdele out off aray c1420 Ratis R. (S.T.S.) 756.
Thow suld be tendyr of that [spiritual] halue Well mar than the fleschlyk halue 1567 G. Ball. 33.
How mekill mair our Father spirituall Suld we obey(4) c1450-2 Howlat 24.
Thus sat I … Content of the fair firth, Mekle mair of the mirth 1562-3 Winȝet I. 5/18.
Ȝour dum doctrine in exalting ceremoneis … and, fer mair, keiping in silence the trew word of God 1584 Gowrie P. 38.
A theif stelling ridhand … may be taken without sumonds, meikill mair he in tressone a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1691.
Unbaikin dois spair bot unground meikle mair 1632 Justiciary Cases I. 203.(5) 1375 Barb. vi. 666 (E).
For-thi that thai dred me noucht, Noy thaim fer owt the mar I moucht a1400 Leg. S. vii. 624.
Ay the langare he sat sa, The mare grew his sorow & va Ib. xvi. 849. Ib. xxvii. 393.
Bot Sancte Colme … Lowit Mocumma fere the mare 1456 Hay I. 220/10. Ib. 303/2.
Bot suppose … syndry kingis … dois all thre thir thingis, it makis thame nocht the mare to have rycht c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 322.
The mair he loutit for my luf, the les of him I rakit 1549 Compl. 126/8.
The mair that he drynk, the mair he hes desire to drynk a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 246 (L). Id. Son. xlvi. 10. 1588 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 53. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 29.
For ay the mair that the outward senses be walkned, the mair is the inward hart [etc.](6) 1375 Barb. xii. 563 (E).
Thai wan place, ay mar and mar, On thair fayis Ib. xix. 207. a1400 Leg. S. xix. 246.
The lytil barne … Wox euiare mare & mare That vnese oure the watir he wane Ib. ii. 759. c1420 Wynt. iii. 951. c1420 Ratis R. 977. 1533 Bell. Livy II.51/32. 1599 Rollock Wks. I. 435.
The wiser thou thinkis thyself, thou art the mair and the mair an fuil(7) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6858.
And nather mair nor les Thay haue that vse expres 1618-60 Lithgow Poet. Remains 200.
Strangers … On this worlds stage, each acting lesse or mair

b. Prefixed to an adj. or adv. in the positive, to form the comparative.In many instances as a stylistic alternative to the regular inflected comparative in -ar etc.(1) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 190.
That he kene me mare mychty … than is his kinge Ib. iii. 1133.
Mare dewote Ib. xi. 442.
Twa Ethiopis … As ony sut fere mare blake c1420 Wynt. vii. 20. 1456 Hay I. 32/15.
Ay the langer the mare covatus Ib. 102/24.
A mare stark resoun Ib. 280/17, 302/33. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 643. c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 373.
Mar bittir na the ded c1460 Thewis Gud Women 33. c1515 Asl. MS. I. 157/7. 1533 Boece viii. xii. 277 b.
Mare copios nowmer … than afore Ib. xiii. xi. 522.
The tyrannage … is mekill mare importabill [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I. 41/22.
Mar deir to me(b) c1450-2 Howlat 618.
Mair awfull in all thing c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 2553.
The landis … quhilk war to him maire couth a1500 Henr. Fab. 605 (Ch.).
Quhair is thair mair perrillous pestilence Ib. 1786 (Bann.).
Mair of succour or ȝit mair solitare ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 589. 1513 Doug. vii. xiii. 13.
The mair wod wraith and furyus wolx sche 1522 Douglas Corr. 85.
Nayne mayre dowbyll in oure realme 1531 Bell. Boece I. xxiii. Ib. lvi. Ib. II. 136. c1550-c1580 Art of Music 10 b.
Quhat is the circle of the mair perfect? 1562-3 Winȝet I. 3/6.
To na thing mair lyke 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. (1590) viii b.
Ay the mair greate and heinous that the sinne be, it hes the greater … sinnes following on it 1596 Dalr. I. 2/27. 1611 Reg. Panmure I. xxxii.
Paule … wos ane mair myld mane 1636 Glasgow Chart II. 598.
Mair navigabill(c) 1628 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II. 30 Apr.
Sa meikle the meir odious and abominable scho being wnder proces [etc.](2) 1375 Barb. xx. 217 (E).
It is the mar likand to me 1531 Bell. Boece II. 13.
Ilk day mair repugnant to our weil 1600-1610 Melvill 201.
Sum ar mair leing, flattering and ambitius then was Amaziah 1614 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 120.(3) 1375 Barb. vii. 555 (E).
He beheld hyr mar encrely 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 58.
The qwilkis trewys mare sekirly to be kepit 1447 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 197.
To ressaue the castell … the maer sudanly 1485 Lag Chart. 53.
Mare fullelie 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 238.
Your graice … servitour wil mayr largele inform your grace 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 345.
The mair planelie and neirlie they deale the better end will follow c1616 Hume Orthog. 10.
Far maer easelie 16.. Row Cupp of Bon-Accord 1 b.
To speak mair plainly

c. Pleonastically, prefixed to the comparative; also, to the superlative. a1400 Leg. S. xi. 175.
It war mare bettire thinge To [etc.] a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 362.
Mair sueiter than the lawn c1520-c1535 Nisbet III. 2.
Be schort telling rathir than … mare langare 1549 Compl. 54/10.
Mercurius … makkis reuolutione nyne dais mair haistiar nor dois Venus c1590 Fowler II. 140/2.
That … he might pretend to a mair higher estate — Ib. 139/22.
The factious partie that was maist pouerful becam mair baldest

d. Prefixed to a noun: Possessing in a higher degree the attributes implied by the noun. c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 304.
It is nocht to a man to strif agane mar mastir than hyme self in jugment c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 36. c1515 Asl. MS. I. 174/22.
Thai ar becummyn mair carlis and of mair vyle condicioun than be dronkart or ruffien c1500-c1512 Dunb. vi. 73.
In faith I am mair fule than he a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 646.
He came hame mair fule nor he raid a feild

e. Indicating that of two alternative predicates or predicate adjuncts the one qualified is more applicable or more true than (na etc.) the other: Rather. a1400 Leg. S. xiv. 40.
Luke mad his ewangel syne Of thingis hard mar than of sene c1420 Wynt. v. 1550.
Mare hys wyll stude to relewe Than wndyr hym ony man till aggrewe 1456 Hay I. 116/35. Ib. II. 156/28.
Mare for pride na for prow c1490 Irland Asl. MS. 47/27. 1513 Doug. x. Prol. 82. 1531 Bell. Boece I. 224. a1540 Freiris Berw. 269 (M).
It war mair tyme [B. mair meit] in to ȝour bed to be Than now to sit desyrand cumpanye 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2651.

f. Following a negative statement: (Not) … to any greater extent, any more (than some other statement). 1456 Hay I. 227/32.
A woodman … has na knaulage of wit na resoun mare than a beste 1490 Irland Mir. I. 66/31.
[There] suld … haue bene … na schame mare of thai membris nore thar wse, na js now of seing ore hering 1572 Sat. P. xxxi. 173.
Nane of Scottis blude In Scotland dar him self auow, Mair nor in Jurie dois the Jow

2. Mare than (nor), indicates that the intended meaning is in some respect stronger than that of a following adj. or adv. 1513 Doug. vi. Prol. 12.
Reid agane this volume mair than twys 1531 Vaus [1531] i.
Preterito plusquam perfecto, tyme mare than perfitely bygane 1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 168.
The grit murtheris and mair then beistlie crewelteis usit … aganis the trew Christianis c1590 Fowler II. 19/18.
Be example mair nor manifest Ib. 76/28.
With mair than extraordnarye hap 1627 Justiciary Cases I. 68.
It is mair nor evident that [etc.]

3. In addition, additionally, as an addition, over and above; besides, further.(1) c1420 Wynt. iv. 1839.
Efftyr that he bad thame mare Fra the se that thai suld fare [etc.] Ib. vii. 505. 1461 Liber Plusc. I. 385.
Quhat mycht God mare dotill His creatoure c1475 Wall. vii. 512.
Nocht was lewyt mar Bot the woode fyr 1503 Treas. Acc. II. 218.
For ane steik bukram and vj quartaris mair to lyne the samyn 1531 Bell. Boece I. lviii.
Ane gowpin or ellis sum thingis mair above the just mesure 1545 Treas. Acc. VIII. 417.
Hyrit mair foure hors laidnit witht [etc.] a1568 Bann. MS. 135 a/54.
For littill mair or les Mak thow na debait 1570 in Lauder Minor P. ix.
[Minister's stipend] xxli. mair sen Lambmes 1569 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 89.
And nathing mair done for this tyme 1592 Conv. Burghs I. 427.
To get ane augmentatioun of aucht last mair of beir 16.. Hist. Kennedy 41.
Thir ar the words we said, and quhat ȝe haue said mair, ȝe leid 1612 Glasgow Trades House 38.
The quhilk foirsaid soum togidder with sua meakl mair as makis ijc. merkis 1660 McPherson Primitive Beliefs 210.
Two months and three days mair 1682 Lauder's Observes App. iv. 304.
Yea, what was mair offered, that [etc.](2) 1375 Barb. xii. 314 (E).
I wate nocht quhat mar say sall I c1420 Wynt. vii. 2311.
Quhat wes thare mare? Bot efftyre that In till Ingland a gret legat … come c1475 Wall. xi. 235.
Quhat will ȝe mar? a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1118. a1500 K. Hart 375.
Quhat wes thair mair out harro taik and slay c1500 Fyve Bestes 149. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 230 (Asl.).
Quhat restis maire ȝe schrenk nocht to trespas 1513 Doug. ii. i. 49. a1538 Abell 69 b.
His occupation wes … wp sitting with … wile personis at reft wirginis … and brocht to him quhat mair 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6586. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 5/1.
Ȝour godly leving … be the worthi frutis tharof (quhat nedz mair), is patent to al man 1574 Davidson in Three Reformers 123.
It was his dead ill, what shuld mare? 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 257(3) 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 312.
Ane eln of blak velvat; mair to him half an eln of fyne blak 1561 Inv. Wardrobe 157.
Item, mair Mr Johnne Balfoure deliverit ane mytir to [etc.] 1575–6 Lanark B. Rec. 70. 1576–7 Reg. Privy C. II. 603.
Ane boit of wyne sek … and mair twa caddowis 1588–9 Dundee Shipping L. 219. 1627 Rep. Parishes 227. 1644 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 26. 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 31. 1672 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 159.
Meair I acclame hime ane goud new chanllar [etc.] 1676 Argaty Baron Ct. 17 Oct.
Walter Clerk … to pey … four pund for ilk boll teind crope 1676 … mair nyne pund resting of his teind crope 1674, mair six pund for his wedder and service crope 1676

b. Introducing an important addition to a previous statement: Furthermore, besides, more especially. a1578 Pitsc. I. 85/23.
Mair, it had bene goode for the commone weill of Scottland that [etc.] 1584 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. 85.
Findis gud that my Lord Sinclare be spokin … and mair that thair be lettres purchest … for charging of my Lord Sinclare [etc.] 1616 Irvine Mun. II. 48.
That in everrie burgh … thair may be … a mor sewer innes buildit … and als that mair thair may be singes hung at everrie hous 1621 Black Bk. Taymouth 352.

4. For a further period of time or on a further occasion, (any, still) longer, further, again.Chiefly in negative, interrogative and hypothetical contexts. See also Evermar(e, Na mare, Nevermare, ony mare Ony 1 d adv. 1375 Barb. iv. 353 (E).
Till her mar ly war litill skill c1420 Bute MS. 172 b.
The ladysman has nocht to do mare qwhen the schyp is in festnys 14.. Burgh Laws c. 89 (A).
Gif the ayr war vtouth the kinrik he sal abide langar & mar be xl dais 1461 Liber Plusc. I. 386.
Quhen thai pas quhat lordschip mair haue thai a1500 Seven S. 1044.
Sa lufly … He lukit maire & sa hartlye a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 40.
And evir I heir ocht of ȝour making mair 1531 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 110. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1456.
Ȝit sum thing will we commoun mair Of this ladie 1558-66 Knox II. 60.
They tuik oppinioun that they wald never ishe mair 1562-3 Winȝet I. 52/26.
Of na ressoun culd I be induceit efter to … reverence thame mair thairfor c1610 Melville Mem. 236.
He hopped to fische maire be sik meanis