v. Obs. Forms: 3–4 ȝere, 4 ȝeore; 3 pa. t. ȝerde, ȝirde, ȝurde. [ME. ȝere, representing an OE. *ʓerian OFris. geria, ieria, OS. gerôn (MLG. geren), OHG. gerôn, -ên, -ân (MHG. geren, gern, be-gern, G. begehren) to desire, related to OHG., MHG. ger, ON. gerr greedy (cf. OHG. girî, G. gier desire, OHG. girîg, G. gierig desirous, covetous, etc.); f. Teut. ger-, whence also YERN a., YEARN v.
With Teut. ger-:—Indo-eur. gher- (:ghor-: ghr-) to long, desire, have pleasure, are prob. allied Skr. háryati finds pleasure, háršatē rejoices, Zend zara- striving, goal, χαίρειν, χαρῆναι to rejoice, χάρις favor, grace, L. horīrī, horitārī, hortārī to cheer, exhort.]
trans. To desire, long or yearn for; to express a desire for, request.
c. 1205. Lay., 4790. Belin king him ȝette þæt forward þat he ȝerde [c. 1275 ȝornde]. Ibid., 5515. Heo forȝeten here ȝisles & þat grið þat heo ȝurden [c. 1275 ȝeornden]. Ibid., 11514. Al swa þe king ȝirde Mauric hit him ȝette.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 28982. Þat es to be here ai ȝerand Þat ilk liue is ai lastand.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. I. 33. Mesure is Medicine þauh þou muche ȝeore.
Hence † Yering vbl. sb., desire, longing; request.
13[?]. Ball. on Scotish Wars, xx. (Ritson). Al my yering he me tald, And yatid me, als we went bi waye.
c. 1400. Cursor M., 27930 (Cott. Galba). Fole couaitise and fole Ȝering.
