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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Aire, Ayre, n. Also: ar, are, ayr. [ME. eire (c 1300), eyre, eyr, OF. eire, erre, from the stem of L. iter.] A circuit court held by itinerant judges or officers of justice; an itinerant court of justice; an eyre. Freq. chamerlain or justice aire; see these words. 1436 Acts II. 23/2.
Al crownaris sal arrest. . als wele before the cry of the air as eftir all thaim [etc.] 1440 Ib. 33/1.
In ilk toune quhar the air salbe haldyn 1458 Peebles B. Rec. 129.
That ilk day, the Ar of the Chamerlan haldyng at Peblis, thar com in Andro Robenson with a byl c1475 Wall. i. 275.
A gret dittay for Scottis thai ordand than; Be the lawdayis in Dunde set ane ayr 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 130.
To Sperdour to pass to Jedwort to gar provyde for the Iustis costis again the Ayre Ib.
To the King … or the Lordis raide to the Ayre of Lannerik c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxiii. 19.
I was agast, Or ȝe the narrest way had past, Fra toun of Stirling to the air 1535 Stewart 25900.
He wes the first that maid that act, Befoir the air ane dittay for to tak In euerilk schyre 1569 Sat. P. x. 258.
Our sone and we wer than in Glasgowe towne; To hald the airis in thay parts he was bowne a1578 Pitsc. I. 312/20.
About this tyme the king went to the south land to the airis and held justice in Jedburght 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 1.
Bischops, Abbates, Earles, … and Freehalders, … sould … compeire at the Justitiars aire 1610 Highland P. III. 120.
The haill escheittis of the courtis and airisattrib. 1507 Lanark B. Rec. 17.
Item for medwardis to strow the tolbuth … in the ayr tym 1542 Treas. Acc. VIII. 66.
His expensis passing … to Jedburght for inbringing of the rest of the air silver