▪ I. † rere, v.1 Obs. rare.
[Aphetic for arere: see arrear v. and cf. reir v.]
intr. or trans. To retreat, or cause to retreat.
The sense in the second quot. is not quite clear, but connexion with OE. hréran to move, stir, seems unlikely.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 71 Non stode Harald dynt, þat bifor him kam. Þe rouht of þare rascaile he did it rere & ryme. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 2810 Alle that rewlyde in the rowtte they rydene awaye, So rewdly they rere theys ryalle knyghttes. |
▪ II. † rere, v.2 Sc. Obs. rare.
[Of obscure origin; app. related to reere n.]
intr. To resound; to cry, roar.
| c 1450 Holland Howlat 13 Throw thir cliftis so cleir,..I raikit till ane Reveir, That ryallye reird [v.r. apperd]. Ibid. 638 Thai come.., Thir fowlis of rigour, With a gret reir. Than rerit thir Merlȝeonis that mountis so hie. 1508 Dunbar Flyting 236 Cry grace, tykis face, or I the chece and sley; Oule, rere [v.r. rare] and ȝowle. |
▪ III. rere, adv. rare—1.
[var. rear a.1]
Rearwards.
| 1814 Cary Dante, Inf. xx. 43 Aruns, with rere his belly facing, comes. |
▪ IV. rere
obs. form of rear n.3, a.2, and v.; var. reere noise. Obs.