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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

War(e, v.² [ME and e.m.E. ware(n (c1250), war (14th c.), OE warian, ON vara.] a. tr.To take care of, look out for. b. To be fearful of, beware (of), be on one's guard (against). Also intr. as imperative.a. c1420 Wynt. viii 892.
Gyf [the] Brws [the] kyng suld be Off Scotlande, ware [C. war] yhoure reawte … and yhowre walyt townys, … Kepe welle thi marchys off Inglandb. a1500 Lanc. 443.
The planetis disposicioune … thei fond ware wonder ewill yset … Of wich thing, thei waryng in to were To shew the king, for dreid of his danger a1568 Scott xxxiv 151.
Thir ressonis ar to rais ȝow Fra crymes vndir coite, Or war ȝe say not, wais ȝow a1570-86 Shaw in Maitl. F. 384/3.
Suppois … fortoun on ȝow schynis and betis I rid ȝow than war lufe war le Suppois ȝe sale betuix twa scheittis Vtheris hes salit als weill as ȝe 1673 Fugitive Poetry II xxxiii 2/37.
I have a troup of femaill sex That can your faction's currage vex, Without a sword or corslett; Though I'm a duke, They will on look, Catch me er' I'm a waredintr. 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 168.
War at Pluto, I sal hym hunt of sty