Sc. Forms: 1 ær, 2–3 ar, aar, 4– air(e. [The later Sc. form of ME. northern ar(e, OE. ǽr adj., adv., prep., and conj., ‘former, formerly, before’; see mod. Eng. ERE, which is only a prep. (and conj.), while Sc. air is only an adv. (cf. EAR-LY).]
† 1. Before, formerly, previously.
a. 822. O. E. Chron., an. 797. And eft wæs papa swa he ær.
1205. Layam., 28687. Þa oðere cnihtes þa at þan fehte ar weoren.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 5033. Hy ben broun of hare, as hy weren aar.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XVIII. 211. Eduard the bruce, as I said air, Wes descumfit.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scotl., I. 536. The sone … of Fyndocus as I haif said ȝow air.
2. Early, soon; opposed to late.
c. 1200. Ormin, 6242. Beon ar & lăte o ȝunnkerr weorrc.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. xxxiii. 145. Come I are, come I late.
1501. Douglas, Pal. Hon., II. xxix. Quha is content, rejoycit air or lait.
1651. Calderwood, Hist. Kirk (1843), II. 211. Skairse could anie of the nobilitie have accesse to her aire or late.
1725. Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., I. i. She jeers me air and late.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, xxvii. [Baillie Nicol Jarvie loq.]. ‘Air day or late day, the fox’s hide finds aye the flaying knife.’
