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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Lure, Luir, n.¹ Also: luyr, lwir, lewer. [ME. (Chaucer) and e.m.E. lure, e.m.E. also leure (1530), lewer, OF. loir(r)e, luire, lure, MF. and mod.F. leurre.]

1. A hawk's lure.(a) ?1438 Alex. i. 1904.
As falcone that wald haue fude ful fain Come lansand to the lure agane c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxii. 8.
And I do lyk ane reid halk schout To cum to lure that hes no leif 1507–8 Treas. Acc. IV. 94.
To Johne Lethaue, sadillar, for mending of … halk luris(b) 1504 Treas. Acc. II. 446.
For making of ane halk luyr 1505 Ib. III. 153. Ib. 164. 1507 Ib. 412. 1579 Inv. Wardrobe 281.
Ane halk gluif … , Item ane luir of reid crammosie velvot embroderit with gold c1590 J. Stewart 233. § 134. 1643 Edinb. Test. LX. 238.
Tuentie haulk lwires(c) 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 357.
A halk bag, 2 lewers

2. fig. That which allures, an allurement or enticement. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 278.
[The damned ladies], Off lychorye thay wer the verray luris; With thare prouocatyue impudicitie [etc.] 1530 Id. Test. Pap. 1064.
Quhow ȝe [churchmen] haif maid a hundreth thousand huris, Quhilkis neuir had bene war not ȝour lychorus luris 1540 Id. Sat. 524.
That potent prince … Quha is of lustines the luir And moist of curage