▪ I. † unˈfere, n. Obs.
[Cf. next, and ON. {uacu}fœ́ra fem., {uacu}fœ́ri neut., a state of trouble or difficulty.]
Infirmity, weakness.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 3556 Sir ysaac þat dughti man, Vnfere and eld a-pon him ran. |
▪ II. † unˈfere, a. Obs.
Also 3–4 unfer, 3 onver, -viere, vnueren.
[OE. unfére (= ON. and Icel. {uacu}-, ófœ́rr, Norw. uf{obar}r, MSw. and Sw. oför): see un-1 7 and fere a.]
Infirm, weak, unfit for or incapable of exertion. Also absol.
| a 1060 O.E. Chron. (MS. C) an. 1055, Tremerig se Wylsca biscop..wæs æþelstanes biscopes ᵹespelia syððan he unfere wæs. c 1205 Lay. 6780 Þa iwærð þe king vn-fere [c 1275 on-ver]. Ibid. 11079 Þa iwærð his fader vnueren [c 1275 onviere]. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 2810 In hise bosum he dede his hond, Quit and al unfer he it fond. a 1300 Cursor M. 3507 His fader þat old was and vnfere. 13.. Ibid. 13262 (Gött.), Þe vnfer fast tille him þai soght. c 1325 Metr. Hom. (MS. Ashm. 42) fol. 158 b, A man vnfere þat nouther might speke ne here. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1357 Childer..of chere febill, Wyth olde ffolke vnfere. Ibid. 13618, I am febyll and vnfere, fallyn into elde. |
Hence † unˈfereness, infirmity. Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 20744 He on hir bere laid his hand, Þarof vnfernes son he fand. |