[f. ABIDE v. + -ER1.] One who abides; in various senses of the vb. Esp.
† 1. One who waits or awaits. Obs.
1543–63. Becon, New Catechism (1844), 143. Such patient abider of the Lord’s leisure was Job.
1548. W. Thomas, Ital. Gram. (1567), Dimorante, the abider or tarier.
† 2. One who sustains an attack or stands his ground. Obs.
1581. Sidney, Def. Poesie (1622), 503. Maisters of warre, and ornaments of peace, speedie goers, and strong abiders, triumphers both in Campes and Courts.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World (1736), III. xii. § 7. 126. The Lacedæmonians, being very firme abiders, might seem the more likely to prevaile.
3. One who dwells; a dweller, a resident.
1611. Cotgr., Habitant, a dweller, or abider in a place.
1627. Speed, Eng. etc. abridged, xi. § 4. What [land] is worst for the Rider, is best for the Abider.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., 59. The scattered remnant, who, for His name’s sake, were abiders in the wilderness.
