▪ I. † vire, n.1 Obs.
Also 4 fyre, 4–6 vyre, 5 Sc. wyr, wyir.
[a. OF. vire (= Prov., Sp., Pg. vira), f. virer to turn.]
A form of quarrel or bolt for a cross-bow. (Cf. vireton.)
| 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 595, I haf a bow, bot and a vyre. Ibid. 623 He tasit the vyre and leit it fle. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 164 As a fyre Which fleth out of a myhti bowe, Aweie he fledde for a throwe. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 4802 Thei fauȝt vn-armed in here atyres With longe Arwes and scharpe vires. c 1425 Cast. Persev. 2113 in Macro Plays (1904) 140, I schal slynge at þee many a vyre, & ben a-vengyd hastely here. c 1500 Lancelot 1092 The red knycht, byrnyng in loues fyre, Goith to o knycht, als swift as ony vyre. 1513 Douglas æneid v. xi. 16 This virgine sprent on swiftlie as a vyre. |
▪ II. † vire, n.2 Obs.—1
In 5 wire.
[ad. L. vīrus.]
= virus.
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 77 For euery olde wounde hauynge rotnes or wire, þat is þinne venymous quyttir or ony oþir þing. |
▪ III. † vire, v.1 Obs. rare.
Also 5 Sc. wyre, vyre.
[ad. OF. virer to turn: cf. veer v.2]
1. trans. To whirl or throw.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce xvii. 702 Iohne Crab..In his fagattis has set the fyre, And our the wall syne can thame wyre. |
2. intr. To turn; to wind about.
| 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 119 As the dure turnis about apon the herre,..and vyris and revyris. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia (1622) 436 No, no, hee hath vired all this while, but to come the sooner to his affected end. |
▪ IV. † vire, v.2 Obs. rare—1.
(Origin and meaning doubtful: cf. vire n.1)
| c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 5448 Many a Gregey was euel atyred, With brode arwes al to-vired; Thei wounded hem with arwes brode. |
▪ V. vire
southern dial. var. fire; obs. Sc. f. wire.