Middle English Dictionary Entry
pirī n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pirī n. Also pirie, peri. |
| Etymology | ?From bir(e n.(1); cp. Scot. pirr 'a gentle breeze' & Sc.Gaelic piorradh 'a squall', both prob. from ME. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A storm, squall; a blast of wind.
Associated quotations
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)401 : Pyry, or storme: Nimbus.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)126 : Thys Eolus..to theym shuld fall opon the see, And euyn sodenly, er they coude beware, With a sodeyn pyry, he lappyd hem in care.
- c1500 Men may leue (Trin-C R.3.19)42 : Be mery; Ye shall haue a storme or a pery.
- 1534(?a1500) Cov.Pl.ST (Croo:Craig)226 : Fryndis, ther cam a pyrie of wynd with a myst suddenly, Thatt forth off my weyis went I.