Middle English Dictionary Entry

ēre n.(1)
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Entry Info

Forms ēre n.(1) Also yere, yare, eire, ire. Pl. ēren, ērn, ēres (c1300- ).
Etymology OE ēare, ēaran (pl.)

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
The ear as a part of the body of man and beast.
Show 16 Quotations
2.
The visible external part of the ear; the ere(s gloweth, the ears 'are red' or 'burn' because one is being talked about.
Show 14 Quotations
3.
The internal part of the ear as affected by aching or other disturbances.
Show 6 Quotations
4a.
The ear or ears as the organ of hearing; hence (esp. in phrases below), auditory function, sense, or perception; also, fig.
Show 31 Quotations
4b.
With adj. or noun modifiers describing the receptiveness or disposition of the person listening; open eres.
Show 7 Quotations
4c.
In predicate phrases with verbs indicating the giving or withholding of (auditory) attention or of favor.
Show 16 Quotations
4d.
comen (gon) to ere(s, to be reported to or come to the attention of (someone).
Show 5 Quotations
4e.
(a) in or on (a person's) ere(s, privately, confidentally, in whispered tone; (b) in at on ere and out at the other, without making any impression on the mind.
Show 12 Quotations
4f.
Prov. feld hath eie(n and wode hath ere(s.
Show 3 Quotations
5.
Combs.: (a) ere bowes, the temples or cheek bones; (b) ere clout, a blow on the ear; (c) ere finger [OE ēarefinger], the little finger; (d) ere hol, the hole in the ear; (e) ere lappe [OE ēarlæppa], the lobe of the ear; (f) ere mark, an identifying mark in or on an animal's ear; (g) ere pik, an instrument for cleaning wax out of the ears; (h) ere pren, an ornament for the ear; (i) ere ring [OE ēarhring], earring; (j) ere rounere, one who whispers in another's ear or spreads rumors; (k) sape of the ~, ere-sape [q.v.], earwax; (l) ere sparrere, an ear-closer [a literalism of translation]; (m) ere spon, ?a spoon-like instrument for removing wax from the ears; (n) ere wax, earwax; (o) erwigge, q.v.
Show 23 Quotations
6.
Anat. One of the auricles of the heart.
Show 2 Quotations
7.
One of a pair of handles protruding from the body of a pot or other vessel.
Show 5 Quotations
8.
A loop, as of thread.
Show 1 Quotation

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?a1425 Cmb.Dd.6.29 Artist.Recipes (Cmb Dd.6.29) 70/12 : Ȝif hit breke put a litel water þerto, and make hit wayker, and a litul ȝeerewax þerto.
  • a1500 Hrl.3151 Limn.Recipes (Hrl 3151) 232/4 : If it brek do therto a lityll watre to make it weker, and a litill erwax.
    • Note: Additional quotes, sense 5.(n).
    Note: New spellings (ȝeerewax & erwax).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Trin-C.R.14.45 Recipes (Trin-C R.14.45) 127/14 : Loke þat þou have an erthen panne þat hit be a hynche of thiknes and þat hit be wele aneled for þe fire, and also þat hit have two heren forto hold hit by.
    • Note: Glossary: "heren n. pl. 'handles ('ears' of a pot)'."
    Note: Additional quote, sense 7.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. ear.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 5.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. earbow.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 5.(c)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. ear finger.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 5.(d)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. earhole.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 5.(e)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. ear lap.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 5.(m)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. ear spoon.

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