Middle English Dictionary Entry
stairen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | stairen v. Also stair; p.pl. stared. |
| Etymology | N only; prob. from ON: cp. OI staura to drive down a stake & Norw. stoöyra. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To make a lunge, strike out, thrust; also, attack; ~ thurgh, transfix (sb.), pierce through.
Associated quotations
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7667 : Þe king þan hent a sper scarp To stair him thoru vnto þe wau.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)1169 : He stayred about hym with his spere; Many thurgh gane he bere.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)10718 : Þor was talkyng of no trews; full styfly stared [vr. faght] þei in þat stoure.