▪ I. † gere Obs.
Forms: 4–6 geer(e, gere, 6 gier, 6–7 gear(e. See also gare n.2
[Of obscure origin: the sense has some affinity to that of MDu. gere, gaer, gare, desire, zeal, passion, but the adoption of such a word from Du. is unlikely. At the beginning of 17th c. superseded by gare n.2]
A sudden fit of passion, feeling, transient fancy, or the like; a wild or changeful mood in which a loose is given to the feelings of the moment.
| c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 1257 For-why I loved hir in no gere. c 1386 ― Knt.'s T. 673 Into a studie he fil sodenly, As doon thise loveres in hir queynte geres. 1414 Brampton Penit. Ps. lxi. (Percy Soc.) 23 Wysse me fro my wylde gerys. 1548 Patten Exped. Scotl. B viij a, Men may some time do y{supt} hastely in a gere, whereof after they mai soon repent them. 1563 J. Man Musculus' Commonpl. 284 b, The Anabaptistes also of our dayes, upon a mad gier, doe rebaptize them, which haue been allready baptised. 1579–80 North Plutarch (1676) 140 This was not for a little while, nor in a geer of favour, that should continue for a time. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. xxxi. xii. 421 The Emperour in a certain geare [v.r. gare] and violent heat..made hast to encounter them. |
▪ II. gere
obs. form of gar v., gear.