Forms: see YIELD v. [f. YIELD v. + -ER1.] One who or that which yields.
† 1. One who has to pay, i.e., owes, something; a debtor. Obs.
1340. Ayenb., 163. He ne is naȝt riȝtuol, þet ne yziȝb naȝt ine his herte,… and onderstant, þet he is yeldere, and a-yens god of treuþe, toppe alle þing. Ibid., 262 [see YIELDING vbl. sb. 1].
† 2. A rewarder. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, Judith, Prol. Ȝeldere of hir chastite. Ibid. (1388), Ecclus. xxxv. 13. For whi the Lord is a ȝeldere [1382 ȝeldende], and he schal ȝelde seuene fold so myche to thee.
3. One who gives something up, or gives in; a surrenderer (also with up); one who concedes.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., II. ii. 30. For briars and thornes at their apparell snatch, Some sleeues, some hats, from yeelders all things catch. Ibid. (1597), 2 Hen. IV., IV. ii. 123. The Block of Death, Treasons true Bed, and yeelder vp of breath. Ibid. (1598), 1 Hen. IV., V. iii. 11 (Qo. 1). I was not borne a yeelder thou proud Scot.
1893. Daily News, 25 May, 5/6. People … gave Mr. Gladstone their support in the hope that they might get concessions from this universal yielder.
4. Something that produces or furnishes, a producer; now esp. with qualifying word referring to the amount or quality of the produce.
1733. W. Ellis, Chiltern & Vale Farm., 198. A sort [of wheat] … that … is a great Yielder to the Barn.
1861. W. Barnes, in Macm. Mag., June, 132/2. Much of the beauty of a landscape arises from the harmony of its forms and hues, and the fitness of nature’s yielders of good to their offices and the wants of man.
1906. Westm. Gaz., 6 Dec., 2/3. The quality of the good milker’s milk is better than that produced by the small yielder.
