affeer, v.
(əˈfɪə(r))
Also 5 affure, 6 affer, 7 affear.
[a. OFr. afeure-r, affeure-r (Anglo-Fr. afere-r, affere-r), earlier aforer (Sp. aforar):—late L. afforā-re to fix the price, or market-value, f. ad to + forum market, in late L. also ‘market-price’.]
1. To fix or settle the amount of an amercement, to assess; to reduce to a fair or equitable amount.
| 1467 Ordin. Worc. in E.E. Gilds 395 Affurers of good name and fame..to assesse and affure all such amerciaments. 1516 Modus tenendi Cur. Baronum (Pynson) C i, Chose ii. iii. or iiii. afferers to affer the court. 1523 [see affeeror]. 1581 Lambarde Eiren. iv. xvi. (1602) 541 By the great Charter that Amercement and summe of money, which he is to pay..ought to be assessed & affeered by the good and lawful men of the neighbourhood. 1641 Termes de la Ley 13 The amerciament of every Juror shall be affeered according to his offence. 1738 Hist. View Crt. Excheq. iii, They used likewise to affere, or bring in their own Assessments, just as the Freemen in a Court-Baron do affere the assessments of those who are absent. 1768 Blackstone Comm. IV. iv. xxix. 379 Amercements imposed by the superior courts on their own officers and ministers were affeered by the judges themselves. |
2. fig. To settle, confirm.
| c 1440 Partonope 3128 The bisshope he gan his tale subtilly All affere and seyde. 1605 Shakes. Macb. iv. iii. 34 Great Tyrrany, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodnesse dare not check thee! wear thou thy wrongs, The Title, is affear'd. |