yareadj.
/jɛː/ archaic and dialect.
1. Ready, prepared.
a. of persons: const. to with noun or infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [adjective] > prepared or ready
i-radc888
yarec888
i-redec1000
i-redya1175
boundc1175
graith?c1225
aready1250
alreadyc1275
readyc1275
armedc1300
prestc1300
bentc1330
ripec1330
purveyed1435
mature?1440
apt1474
habile1485
in (a) case to (also for)1523
provided1533
in procinct1540
weeping-ripe1548
furnished1553
fit1569
preta1600
expedite1604
predy1613
procinct1618
foreprepared1642
presto1644
apparated1663
(ready) in one's gears1664
fallow1850
standby1893
organized1926
(to be) all set1949
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxvi. §6 Ic hæbbe nu ongiten þæt ðu eart gearo to ongitanne mina lara.
OE Andreas (1932) 234 He wæs anræd ellenweorces, heard ond higerof, nalas hildlata, gearo, guðe fram, to godes campe.
OE Beowulf 211 Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 2334 Ich am ȝarow to al þe wa þet tu const me ȝarkin.
a1240 Ureisun 132 in Old Eng. Hom. I. 197 Ȝif he is to bote ȝeruh and bit þe uorȝiuenesse.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11117 We beoð alle ȝarewe [c1300 Otho ȝarue]. to ganne & to ride.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4715 Weoren alle þa cnihtes ȝærewe [c1300 Otho ȝar] to þon fihte.
a1400 Coer de L. 343 Stylle he hovyd and bode yore; To them he thought to ryde more.
c1440 York Myst. vii. 30 To offyr loke þat ye be yore [rhyme nomore].
?c1475 Sqr. lowe Degre 501 Anone the squyer made him ayre, And by hym selfe forth can he fare.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 349 On athir syd thus war thai yhar, And till assemble all redy war.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 155 I am redy and yare; Go we in fere To that bright.
1603 S. Harsnett Declar. Popish Impostures 143 And so the second may be yare and ready, to take his cue and turne of the former.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 56 I hope, if you haue occasion to vse me for your owne turne, you shall finde me y'are . View more context for this quotation
b. of things; in later use, (of implements) ready for use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [adjective] > prepared or ready > for use
yare971
wrought1440
expedite1609
expeditious1749
971 Blickl. Hom. 39 Gedoþ þæt eow sy mete gearo on minum huse.
OE Crist III 1269 An is þara þæt hy him yrmþa to fela, grim helle fyr gearo to wite ondweard seoð.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 289 His merci is hire eauer ȝearu.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 378 Ȝif hundes urneþ to him ward He..hokeþ paþes sviþe narewe & haueþ mid him his blenches ȝarewe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3881 Þe tur wes al ȝaru.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2729 Þe werwolf waited wiȝtly which schip was ȝarest, to fare forþ at þat flod.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 895 Mi dere gode damisele my deþ is al ȝare.
c1400 Gamelyn 90 Afterward came his brother..And seide to gamelyn is oure mete ȝare?
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 59 To see that..everie souldier [should have] his furniture as yare and fine as might be.
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 4 The Corporall is to..see..the souldiers..keepe their Armes cleane, neate, and yare.
1631 G. Markham Countrey Contentm. (ed. 4) i. xi. 78 You shall obserue that all your Tooles, Lines, or Implements be (as the Sea-man sayth) yare, fit, and ready.
1799 W. Scott Covenanter's Fate xxxiii At each pommel there, for battle yare, A Jedwood axe was slung.
1808 W. Scott Marmion i. ix. 31 The gunner held his linstock yare.
c. to make yare: to make ready, get ready, prepare (also reflexive).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)]
yarec888
yarkc1000
graithc1175
readya1225
biredienc1275
to make yarec1290
forgraitha1300
adightc1330
buskc1330
purveyc1330
agraith1340
disposec1375
before-graithea1382
to forge and filec1381
to make readya1382
devisec1385
bounc1390
buss?a1400
address?a1425
parel?a1425
to get upc1425
providec1425
prepare1449
bakec1450
aready1470
arm?a1505
prevenea1522
get?1530
to get ready1530
to get ready1530
to set in readiness1575
apply1577
compose1612
predy1627
make1637
to dispose of1655
do1660
fallowa1764
to line up1934
prep1936
tee1938
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (reflexive)]
yarec888
yarkc1000
graithc1230
dightc1275
to make yarec1290
arrayc1320
tirec1330
agraith1340
buska1350
readya1350
dressc1350
shapec1374
disposec1375
ordainc1380
rayc1380
makec1390
bouna1400
updressa1400
fettlec1400
address1447
ettlec1450
aready1470
to make oneself forth1488
busklea1555
poise1639
arrange1865
c1290 Beket 821 in S. Eng. Leg. 130 Þare-fore make þe ȝare i-nov þine a-countes to ȝelde.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Philomela. 2270 This Therius let make hise shepis ȝare And In-to grece hymself is forth I-fare.
a1400 Coer de L. 1185 The knyght it takes withouten let, Dyghtes hym, and made hym yare.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iv. 52 I shall found to make me yare.
1865 T. Taylor tr. T. Hersart de la Villemarqué Bran in Ballads & Songs Brittany ii To-night make me a good ship yare.
2.
a. Alert, nimble, active, brisk, quick.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > qualities of bodily movement > agile or nimble
lightOE
quiverOE
yepec1275
taitc1300
yap13..
delivera1375
swippera1387
wight1390
nimblea1400
yarea1400
yerna1400
smitherc1475
leger1483
agilea1500
liver1530
lightsome1567
wimble1579
nimble jointed1591
nimble shifting1591
agilious1599
nimbling1599
nimble spirited1611
expedite1612
fitchanta1616
airy1642
fantastic1645
volant1650
clever1691
light-limbed1695
spry1746
swack1768
swank1786
yauld1787
deliverly1820
slippy1847
nippy1849
springe1859
pantherish1869
pantherine1890
flippant1895
loose1907
Tarzanesque1933
Tarzan-like1943
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active
sprindeOE
whata1000
braga1350
prestc1390
yarea1400
stirringc1400
startingc1440
actious1441
actuala1470
activea1522
queemc1540
skeetc1540
lively1567
alive-like1582
pragmatical1590
spruce1590
agilious1599
brisk1599
sprightly?c1599
brisky1600
alives-like1601
alacrious1602
smart1602
eyebright1603
whisking1611
deedy1615
vibrant1616
sprunt1631
perking1653
alert1654
exilient1654
alacrative1657
eveillé1676
budge1691
jaunty1705
spry1746
sprack1747
alive1748
high-geared1795
rash1805
spicy1828
live1830
deedful1834
yary1855
sprucy1858
alacritous1859
sprackish1882
brash1884
up-and-coming1889
up and doing1901
loose1907
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed1936
buzzy1978
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > quick [interjection]
quick1593
fludgs1611
yarea1616
zest1705
a1400 Coer de L. 6751 The Sarezynes fledde..; In there herte they were soo yarwe, Alle here yates they thought too narwe.
c1425 Engl. Conquest Ireland (1896) 114 Thys legat was youre aboute, pees to make betwene the kynge & Iohn.
c1425 Cast. Persev. 18 in Macro Plays 77 God hym ȝeuyth to aungelis Ful ȝep & ful ȝare.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 132 A halter'd necke, which do's the Hangman thanke, For being yare about him. View more context for this quotation
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 18 Beyare at the helme.
1698 J. Vanbrugh Short Vindic. 27 I believe, had the Obscenity he has routed up here, been buried as deep in his Church-yard, the Yarest Boar in his Parish wou'd hardly have tost up his Snout at it.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 11 It's the Trick of a Hound to be yare at Hares only.
1831 T. Carlyle in Westm. Rev. July 35 Like a right yare steersman.
1869 Athenæum 28 Aug. 284/2 Yare, which is still current in Norfolk, and is pronounced yar, = brisk, active, lively.
b. Of a ship: Moving lightly and easily; answering readily to the helm; easily manageable.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel with reference to qualities or attributes > [adjective] > easily managed
yare1390
sea-kindly1876
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 237 The wynd was good, the Schip was yare.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 131 The Persian gallyes, being highe cargged, heauie, & not yare of steredge.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 227 Our Ship..Is tyte, and yare . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. vii. 38 Their shippes are yare, yours heauy. View more context for this quotation
a1642 W. Monson Naval Tracts (1704) iii. 357/1 She is Roomsom for her Men, and yare to run too and again in.
a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) vi. 749 Caesars ships being more yare, and ready for any needs of service.
1658 Earl of Monmouth tr. P. Paruta Hist. Venice ii. iii. 177 Vluzzali..commanded 25 of his yarer gallies..to assault our right Wing.
Compounds
yare-handed adj.
ΚΠ
1728 W. Betagh Voy. round World 26 Don Pedro..took care however to be very officious or yare handed (as we say) with his present.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective]
sharpc888
yepec1000
spacka1200
yare-witelc1275
fellc1300
yap13..
seeinga1382
far-castinga1387
sightya1400
perceivinga1425
snellc1425
politic?a1439
quickc1449
pregnant?a1475
pert1484
quick-wittedc1525
apt1535
intelligentc1540
queemc1540
ready-witted1576
political1577
of (a) great, deep, etc., reach1579
conceited1583
perspicuous1584
sharp-witteda1586
shrewd1589
inseeing1590
conceived1596
acute1598
pregnate1598
agile1599
nimble-headed1601
insighted1602
nimble1604
nimble-witted1604
penetrant1605
penetrating1606
spraga1616
acuminous1619
discoursing1625
smart1639
penetrativea1641
sagacious1650
nasute1653
acuminate1654
blunt-sharpa1661
long-headed1665
smoky1688
rapid1693
keen1704
gash1706
snack1710
cute1731
mobile1778
wide awake1785
acuminated1786
quick-minded1789
kicky1790
snap1790
downy1803
snacky1806
unbaffleable1827
varmint1829
needle-sharp1836
nimble-brained1836
incisivea1850
spry1849
fast1850
snappy1871
hard-boiled1884
on the spot1903
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. v. ii Se geonga wæs geworden hale lichaman..& gearowyrde on gespræce.]
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2812 Þa cnihtes weoren wise & ful ȝere-witele.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1512 Heo was alre ȝungest of soðe ȝær-witelest.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† yarev.
Obsolete.reflexive.c975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt. vi. 25 Hu ge eowic gearwige.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3725 Ȝarewieð [c1300 Otho Greiþeh] eow to fihte.1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 90 He ȝared him to bataile.a1400–50 Alexander 4866 Þan ȝaris he him ȝapely & a-ȝayne turnes.
transitive. To make or get ready, to prepare.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)]
yarec888
yarkc1000
graithc1175
readya1225
biredienc1275
to make yarec1290
forgraitha1300
adightc1330
buskc1330
purveyc1330
agraith1340
disposec1375
before-graithea1382
to forge and filec1381
to make readya1382
devisec1385
bounc1390
buss?a1400
address?a1425
parel?a1425
to get upc1425
providec1425
prepare1449
bakec1450
aready1470
arm?a1505
prevenea1522
get?1530
to get ready1530
to get ready1530
to set in readiness1575
apply1577
compose1612
predy1627
make1637
to dispose of1655
do1660
fallowa1764
to line up1934
prep1936
tee1938
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (reflexive)]
yarec888
yarkc1000
graithc1230
dightc1275
to make yarec1290
arrayc1320
tirec1330
agraith1340
buska1350
readya1350
dressc1350
shapec1374
disposec1375
ordainc1380
rayc1380
makec1390
bouna1400
updressa1400
fettlec1400
address1447
ettlec1450
aready1470
to make oneself forth1488
busklea1555
poise1639
arrange1865
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxix. §13 Se hata sumor drygð & gearwað sæd & bleda.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) i. 76 Þu gæst beforan drihtnes ansyne his wegas gearwian.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14889 Bruchinal..ȝarewede his ferde.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 112 He makede ane heȝe burh..Þa burh wes wel iȝarwed [c1300 Otho iȝarket].
a1300 St. Gregory 1178 in Herrig Archiv LVII. 71 Whan þe nyȝt was al a gone a bote þe fisschere he gan ȝare.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 58 Þe kyng ȝared his folk, on haste alle þat he myght.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
yareadv.
Obsolete or archaic.† 1. † b. Nimbly, briskly. Obsolete. rare.† 2. Well, thoroughly; (often with know, etc.) certainly, plainly, without doubt. (Often used vaguely as in 1.) Obsolete.
a. Quickly, without delay, promptly, immediately, soon. (Often used vaguely, esp. in full yare, as a rhyming tag.) Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adverb] > quickly or promptly
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
radlyOE
yareOE
timelyOE
belivec1175
belivesc1275
hastivelyc1300
prestc1300
smartc1300
smartlyc1300
prestly1340
spacklya1350
pertlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
yeplya1375
readilyc1390
yarelya1400–50
hasty?a1425
promptly1490
hastyfullyc1500
snackly1728
snack1739
snaply1768
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1835
pronto1892
quick smart1955
snappily1981
OE Beowulf 2748 Þæt ic..gearo sceawige swegle searogimmas.
a1300 K. Horn 497 (Cambr.) Aþelbrus..tolde him ful ȝare Hu he hadde ifare.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2837 ‘Haste’, he said, ‘þan þeder yaar, For i do noght til þou come þar’.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2866 Ðat bi ði leue hise folc vt-fare Ðre daiges gon, and ben ðor gare, In ðe deserd.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5225 Þan was iacob busked yare, Wit al þe gynge þat wit him ware.
a1450 Le Morte Arth. 3536 The ermyte Answeryd swythe yare.
14.. Guy Warw. (C.) 5944 And wyth hys fyste he smote me sore: Sythen he flewe awey full ȝore.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 696 And by the Mole thai passyt ȝar, And entryt sone in-to the rase.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1320 The emperoure of Rome was there, [The kings] of Pervens and of Calabere yare, And other two or thre.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid i. v. 37 Ane duelling place for Troianis biggit hes he,..and full ȝor, The armes of Troy has set wp in memor.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. xi. 21 Send ws thi help als ȝoir, And conferme all thir takinnis sene befoir.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > bodily movement > [adverb] > agilely or nimbly
lighteOE
lightly?a1200
wightlyc1330
deliverlya1375
swipperly?a1400
wakerly?a1400
wighta1400
yaplya1400
featlyc1400
nimblyc1450
lightsomely1561
nimble1568
wimbly1594
yarelya1616
yare1622
featilya1640
agilely1663
cleverly1686
spry1855
lissomely1902
spryly1905
cattishly1913
1622 J. Taylor Very Merry Wherry-Ferry Voy. in Wks. (1630) ii. 8/1 Though it [sc. a tongue] continuall toyl'd, And went as yare, as if it had bin Oyl'd.
c. As exclamation: = Quick! esp. in nautical use. archaic.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 6 Cheerely, cheerely my harts: yare, yare: Take in the toppe-sale. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) v. ii. 278 Yare, yare, good Iras; quicke: Me thinkes I heare Anthony call. View more context for this quotation
1822 J. Hogg Three Perils of Man III. vii. 204 Yare, yare! Lord sauff us! Here they come! What's to be our fate? Keep close for a wee while.
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason ix. 160 Yare!—for the ebb runs strongly towards the sea.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > evident certainty > [adverb]
couthlyc900
yareOE
witterlyc1175
apertlyc1315
in (also on) opena1382
apodictically1615
demonstratedly1670
unsuspectedly1748
unsuspiciouslya1812
distinctly1858
OE Crist I 109 God of gode gearo acenned, sunu soþan fæder, swegles in wuldre butan anginne æfre wære, swa þec nu for þearfum þin agen geweore bideð þurh byldo.
OE Beowulf 2656 Ic wat geare, þæt næron ealdgewyrht, þæt [etc.].
a1000 Boeth. Metr. ix. 9 He het him to gamene geara forbærnan Romana burig.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xx. 6 Hi wiston gere þæt iohannes wæs witega.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 9390 Ah ful ȝare ich hit wuste.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 4866 Gode men he seide ȝe shal fare But of oure kyng I warn ȝou ȝare.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 834 Þe þryde tyme is þer-to ful mete In apokalypez wryten ful ȝare.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. iv. 97 Now quha was blyth bot Menestheus, full ȝore?
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 643 Se that thow leis thame not, bot ȝeme thame full ȝair.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
> see also
also refers to : yairyaren.
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adj.c888
v.c888
adv.OEsee also