Middle English Dictionary Entry
arrēre adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | arrēre adv. Also arere, arriere(s. |
| Etymology | AF ar(r)ere, CF ar(r)iere, ariers. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
In or to the rear; behind; don ~, drive back; arainen ~, hold back, restrain; neither avaunt nor ~, neither ahead nor farther back (in a sequence).
Associated quotations
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)5.198 : Þenne gon he for to go lyk A gleo-monnes bicche, Sum tyme asyde and sum tyme arere.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.241 : Þe Walsch com þam ageyn, did our men alle arere [F les chacent arer].
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)10.137 : He bicome..confus..and drowe hym arrere.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)51a/a : Pone: a rere or byhynde.
- (1433) Case King Council in Seld.Soc.35100 : Neyther avaunt nor arere.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)1183 : He wol abide with no burne þat botene hym wolde Ne a-rayne hym arere with reason-is bridel.
2.
Earlier, in the past; in ~.
Associated quotations
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)129 : Loke, wrechche, þi lif ta arrieres [F ça arrieres; Vices & V.(2) 128/1: how þou hast y-lyued herto-fore].
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)165 : Þet him deþ þe wordle onworþi, ase habbeþ ydo ine ariere [Vices & V.(2) 165/9: bi olde tyme] and þe filozofe payen and þe holy cristene man.
3.
At a disadvantage, behind; drauen ~, fall behind, fail; rennen ~, fail of success; bringen ~, cause to lag.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Jas.(LdMisc 108)70 : Of þat ȝe þouȝten me anuye, drawe ȝe schullen arere.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1082 : Schal noman knowe be his chere Which is avant ne which arere.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)90 : Y wolde that profound..scoling in logik..and lawe were not left bihinde..for without him..prechingis rennen arere.
- a1550 *Norton OAlch.(BodeMus 63)763 : Who moste hasteth, he truly shalbe slowe; for he with haste shall bringe his warke ariere Sometime a moneth.