a. Obs. rare–1. [f. ær- away, privative, -less (= OE. or- and æ-) + wén hope; OE. or-wéne. See Æ- pref.] Hopeless, desperate.
1205. Layamon, 27537. For heo weoren to kene & to ær-wene and to swiðe fuhten.
