warrer
(ˈwɔːrə(r))
Forms: 3 weorreur, 3–5 werrour(e, 3–4 werreur, wereur, verreur, 5 werrur, verrour, 5– warrer.
[Early ME. weorreur, werrour, etc., a. AF. werrour, agent-n. f. werrer to war, f. werre war n.; coalescing with the later English formation on war v. + -er1.]
† 1. One who engages in warfare, a soldier, warrior. Also, an antagonist, a persecutor. Obs.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 246 Þe weorreur of helle mei longe asailen ou. a 1300 Cursor M. 8306 Wereur art þou ful wight. Ibid. 20933 To þaim he [Paul] first was verreur [Gött. werreur] And afterward becom prechur. 13.. Ibid. 18014 (Gött.) [S]ir sathan þan till hell ansuerd..Receiue iesu..vr werreur bath mi and þine. 13.. Guy Warw. (1891) 398 Hou he hadde euer ben strong werrour, For Iesu loue. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 3773 Theire Cite Is bothe styff, stalworthe, and strong,..And ful of men and gode verroures. ? 1436 Pol. Poems (1859) II. 199 The merveillouse werrour and victorious prince, Kynge Herry the v{supt}{suph}. c 1440 Gesta Rom. iv. 11 (Harl. MS.) Oure lord, þe doȝty werrour, ihesu criste. 1482 J. Warkworth Chron. 2 The best warrer of all that time. |
2. One who wars or contends (against something).
| 1836 Lane Mod. Egypt. II. xi. 168 On the occasions of all the great religious festivals in Cairo,..these female warrers against modesty [i.e. unveiled girls]..are sure to be seen. |