† ˈattery, ˈattry, a. Obs. or dial.
Forms: 2–3 attri, 3 attriȝ, 3–6 attrie, 4 attre, 4–5 attry(e, 5–9 attery.
[f. atter n. + -y1.]
1. Venomous, poisonous.
| c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 152 Gif hwa mid his fet of stepð ættriᵹ bansnacan. c 1220 Hali Meid. 15 Earewen idrencte of an attri haliwei. c 1230 Ancr. R. 288 His teð beoð attrie, ase of ane wode dogge. |
2. Mixed with gall, bitter. lit. and fig.
| c 1230 Ancr. R. 188 Þet attri drunc þet me ȝef him, þeo him þurste o rode. Ibid. 190 Þauh hit þunche attri, hit is þauh healuwinde. |
3. Malignant, malicious, spiteful.
| c 1200 Ormin 9785 All fulle off attriȝ lund And fulle of bitterr spæche. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶509 Thanne cometh of ire attry anger. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 493 With atrie visage and with glowrand ene. 1868 Halliwell Dict., Attery, irascible, choleric. West. |
4. Full of morbid or bloody matter.
| 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 431 With bludie woundis so attrie and reid. 1868 Halliwell Dict., Attery, purulent. East. |