Sc. Also vir. [Of obscure origin.] Force, vigor, energy.
c. 1575. Balfour’s Practicks (1754), 493. Making of the course of the water to be of greiter force or strenth than of befoir, or ȝit to be of less force or virre than of befoir.
1710. Ruddiman, Gloss, Douglas’ Æneis, Bir, force, noise which an arrow, or such like makes in the air. Scoti boreales Vir pronunciant.
1742. R. Forbes, Jrnl. fr. London (1755), 31. Syne we laid our heads together, an’ at it wi’ virr.
1790. Shirrefs, Poems, 141. Bessy ran, and brought some whins, wi’ vir, Frae out the nook.
1808–92. in Eng. Dial. Dict.
