Now dial. or Obs. Forms: 4 viuere, 5 vyvere, wywere; 45 viuer (5 vever, Sc. wewar), 5 vyuer, 6 vyver, 9 viver. [a. AF. viver, OF. (also mod.F.) vivier (= Sp. vivero, Pg. viveiro), ad. L. vīvārium VIVARIUM.] A fish-pond.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 13764. Þis ilk water als þe stori sais, Was mikel renumed in þaa dais, Als it war a gode viuere [printed vinere].
c. 1330. Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 519. In j fossato facto de Molend[ino] usque le viuer, vijs. iijd.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, ii. (Paul), 344. Sanct paulis hed eftir his discese In a depe vewar warpit was.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xxiii. 105. Withouten þaim er many vyuers and stankes, whare on er many fewles of riuer.
c. 1425. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 652. Hoc uiuarium, wywere.
1511. in Pat. Roll, III. m. 1 (P.R.O.). Parkes, chaces, warennes, vyvers, pondes.
1875. Parish, Sussex Gloss., 128. Vivers, fish-ponds.