Obs. or arch. [Variant of CHAR, assimilated in spelling to prec.; perhaps associated with it also in meaning.] A chariot or car.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 39. Emelye … Faire in a chare [Shirley MS. chaier] of golde he with him lad.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., II. (1520), 14/1. Helyas … was lyfted up into paradye … in a chayre.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 617. Wt great apparayll of chayris and other costious ordenaunce for to conueye the forenamed lady Margarete into Englande.
1559. T. Bryce, in Farr’s S. P. Eliz. (1845), I. 164. When worthy Web and George Roper In Elyes’ chayre to heauen were sent.
c. 1630. Drumm. of Hawth., Poems, Wks. (1711), 6. Phœbus in his chair, Ensaffroning sea and air.
1697. Dryden, Virg., X. 807. Niphæus, whom four coursers drew … They threw their master headlong from the chair.
1814. Scott, Ld. of Isles, V. xiv. Like a prophet’s fiery chair … travelling the realms of air.
