Middle English Dictionary Entry
skerren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | skerren v. Also skere(n, scere, skaren, scar(r)en; p. skerred, scarred; ppl. skered, scarred, scard, skard. |
| Etymology | ON: cp. OI skirra, Swed. dial. skjarra, Norw. skjerra; cp. ME skerre adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To frighten (sb.), terrify; ppl. skered, frightened; also, alarmed, startled [quot.: c1400]; skered with, frightened by (sth.); (b) to become alarmed; of clamor: rise up; ppl. skerring as adj.: ?loud; threatening, frightening; (c) to drive (sb.) away, beat back; ~ awei; also fig.; (d) in surnames.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)3837 : Ȝiff he seoþ þe mann forrdredd, He wile himm skerrenn mare.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)838 : As a scowte-wach scarred, so þe asscry rysed.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1906 : Schapyth now ȝoure scheldys schene Ȝene skallyd skoutys for to skerre Upon ȝone grene grese.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)321/35 : 'In pynyng payne bees he parred.' 'Ȝaa, and with schath of skelpys yll scarred Fro tyme þat youre tene he haue tasted.'
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3865 : Þan comes þare-out creuesses of manykins hewis, Scorpions þaim to scere & scalid neddirs.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4802 : He sckonfet & skerrid all þa skathill fendis.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4875 : Fra onalafbalde was sa scard, Þar durst na paynym eftirward Assayle, ne harme do To na thing.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)6328 : He was noȝt with þe serpent skard.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)125/289 : If the flok be skard, yit shall I nyp nere.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)598 : He is so skoymos of þat skaþe he scarrez bylyve.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1784 : Blastes out of bryȝt brasse brestes so hyȝe; Ascry scarred on þe scue þat scomfyted mony.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1165/16 : They seyde with grete cryyng and scaryng voyce, 'Thou traytoure, sir Launcelot, now ar thou takyn!'
c
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)457 : Skeryn a-wey: Abigo.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)103a : Þe slyngers & þe scheters..ben I-ordeyned to fere and to skere awey [L exturbant] þe kepers of þe walles.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)807 : He skaryth ws wyth a bales; we may no lengere tary.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)86/4 : Slowþe & schlugri..schal be skerid awey & eschewid.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13404 : This Ascatus with skathe skerrit of his rewme Pelleus with pouer.
d
- (1280) Abbrev.Plac.Edw.I198 : Rogerus Skerehare.
- (1327) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 10123 : Rico Scardeuyle.