▪ I. prizer1 Now rare.
(ˈpraɪzə(r))
Forms: 5 pryzer, 5–6 prysar(e, 6 prisar, pryser, -or, 6–7 priser, 7 prisor, prizor, 7– prizer.
[f. prize v.1 + -er1.]
One who prizes.
† 1. One who estimates the value, or determines the price, of something; an appraiser. Obs.
| 1427 in Trans. Stirling Nat. Hist. & Archæol. Soc. (1902) 57 The pain of the Pryzer, if he be negligent & punish not. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 413/2 Prysare, or settar at price, yn a merket, or oþer placys. 1505 Berwick Reg. in Hist. MSS. Comm., Var. Collect. I. 7 No bowcher..shall breke nor cut out any flysh to sell exsept the said prysers be ther present. 1549 Records of Elgin (New Spald. Cl.) I. 97 Alexander Wynchester [and five others] electit prisers of flesche. 1552 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 59 Assessors and Prysors. a 1625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 472 The prisors to take them of the price if they prise too high. 1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 194 Charges of driving to be set by a priser of the forrage. |
2. † a. One who values or esteems something at a specified (high, low, etc.) rate. Obs. b. One who values or esteems something highly.
| c 1611 Chapman Iliad xvi. 762 Too much prizer of thyself. 1657 Mrs. Hobson's Brass in Chancel of Clewer Ch., A despiser of y⊇ world and a high Prizer of y⊇ Lord Christ. 1691 Norris Pract. Disc. 33 But now, are the Children of Light such Prizers of Time? |
▪ II. ˈprizer2 arch.
Also 6 priser.
a. [f. prize n.2 + -er1.] One who engages in a ‘prize’ or contest; a prize-fighter.
| 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. iv. v, I haue a plot vpon these prizers. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. ii. iii. 8 Why would you be so fond to ouercome The bonnie priser of the humorous Duke? 1679 A. Behn Feign'd Curtizan v, And fought like prizers, not as angry rivals. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxxv, You shall be fought for in real mêlée. Only..the successful prizer shall be a gentleman. 1845 Browning Luria i. 52 The brace of prizers fairly matched Poleaxe with poleaxe. |
b. [prize n.1] A prize-winner.
| 1846 E. Copleston Let. 9 Dec. in W. J. Copleston Mem. E. Copleston (1851) 188 My delight was not a little heightened, by seeing my horned countrymen of North Devon among the ‘prizers’. |