Middle English Dictionary Entry
hẹ̄r(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | hẹ̄r(e adj. ?Also hær, harei, hir-, hur-. |
| Etymology | OE hēore, hȳre pleasant. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Pleasant, gentle; noble, excellent; ?as noun: gentle person; (b) ?in place names [see Smith PNElem. 1.244].
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)16372 : He nom his eorles..& makede his sceld-trume, swulc hit weoren an hær [?read: hor] wude.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25867 : Þa sæide þat wif here [?read: hore], þer heo sæt bi fure.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)8543 : Myn hert cowde do no grace To that gentyll, that meek, that harey [?read: hardy] That wept vpon me so tendyrly.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1729 : And our Cite for sothe, þat sum tyme was here, Brent & betyn downe to þe bare vrthe.
- a1500 Amis (Dc 326:Weber)16 : And how thei were guode and here [Suth: hend], And how yong the[y] become frere [Suth: frend].
b
- (1158) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)325 : Herburton.
- (1235) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)325 : Hurburton.
- (1244) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)7 : Hurburne.
- (1276) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)325 : Hirbirton.