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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.

Luvar, Lovar, n. Also: luvear, -er, luwair; lovaire, -er(e, lowar, -ear. [ME. (north.) luuer (Cursor M.), ME. and e.m.E. louer (14th c.), louier(e, -yer(e (14th c.); f. Luve v.¹]A common spelling in Bann. MS. is luvar (also luver and lovar).

One who loves, a lover, in senses of Luve v. ¹ (and cf. Lufar n.).But with the first quot. cf. also Love v. and Lower n.See also Lare n. 1 c and 3 (3) and Lel(e a. 3 for further examples of (2).(1) a1538 Abell 30 b.
A maist to our tyme all prestis wes callit Culdei, that is for to sa the lowaris of God 1562-3 Winȝet II. 21/12.
Quha euir become the trew luuear and worschipar of Christe a1578 Pitsc. I. 158/14.
Quhair weomen hes ovir mekill of thair awin will … [it] garris thame oftymes fall frome God and tyne the hartis of thair hest lowearis 1581 Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 96/7.
Louaris 1589 Cal. Sc. P. X. 174.
A man cairles of me and onlie louaire of him self(2) 1513 Doug. i. vi. 82 (Sm.).
The lele luwair a1568 Mersar Bann. MS. 213 a/38.
Gif mony luvaris thi lady will persew Id. Ib. 269 a/31.
Chryst keip thir hirdis … Fra fals luvaris c1500-c1512 Dunb. xli. 2.
Be ȝe ane luvar Id. xlvi. 20, Id. xlviii. 13, 25, 60.
Awalk, ȝe luvaris Id. xlvii. 44.
Quhair I … wald no luver wer bot I 15.. Dunb. App. v. 18.
Thus he … Ane luvar glaid may neuir be Ib. iii. 2, 35. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 271 (B), etc. 15.. King Berdok 46. a1568 Bann. MS. 221 b/33.
I sall hir luvar be Ib. 233 h/12.
Sayand scho wes ane luvar trew a1568 Scott xvi. 51.
The court of luvaris Ib. xxxiv. 65.
Sic luvaris seyndill meitis Bot [etc.] 1568 Sempill Bann. MS. 125 a/98. 1579 Misc. Bann. C. II. 197.
Ane Josephis dremis, price vi s. Item, foure Italiane luvaris, the pece viii d.(b) a1500 Quare Jel. 169.
This wickit ymaginacioun … That euery louere hatith of inuy 1540 Lynd. Sat. 283 (B).
To luik on me lovaris hes grit dellyte Ib. 290.
I latt no lovaris pas with sorry hairt (c 1580) Alex. ii. 5366.
Louers 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 39 (Pitsc.).
Sic two So leall lowaris