Obs. Also 4 schyre, 5 chyre, 6 chyer, 7 chier, cheyre. [This appears first as a variant reading for chiþe; subseq. chive appears as a variant of this. What are the precise relations between chithe, chire, chive, it is difficult to say; chive might be a phonetic corruption of chithe or a graphic alteration of chire: see CHITHE, CHIVE2.]
A sprout, a slender blade of grass, etc.; the pistil or stamen of flowers; a fiber.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xci. (Harl. MS. 4789). In þe myddel stondeþ schyres of saffron [Harl. 614 chiris; Bodl. & B. M. Addit. 27944 chiþes; Wynkyn de Worde 1495 (659) chyres; Berthelet 1535 chyues.]
1483. Cath. Angl., A Chire, genimen.
1591. Drayton, Harmony, Song Solomon, ii. As lily flower excells the thorn or little chyer of grass.
1611. Cotgr., Fibres, The small strings, or haire-like threads of roots … in Lincolne-shire they are tearmed Cheyres.
1615. Markham, Eng. Housew., II. vi. (1668), 149. Pick out of it all manner of motes, chiers of grass.
