Now rare. Also 4–6 fleear. [f. FLEE v. + -ER1.] One who flees; a. one who runs away, a fugitive; b. one who withdraws from or shuns (const. of).

1

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, III. 51.

        That he reskewyt all the flearis,
And styntyt swagat the chassaris.

2

c. 1470.  Henry the Minstrel, Wallace, X. 341. Sic a flear befor was neuir seyn.

3

1598.  Grenewey, Tacitus’ Ann., XV. iv. 227. Which fear of the fleers away was no lesse ignominious, then if in fight they had turned their backs to the enemie.

4

1721.  J. Kelly, Scot. Prov., 47. A Fleer [printed Sleer] would ay have a Follower. Spoken when young Girls flee from young Men, as if it were on purpose that they should follow them.

5

1829.  J. Galt, Let., in Ann. Parish, Pref., p. lxxi. To build in the wilderness an asylum for the exiles of society—a refuge for the fleers from the calamities of the world and its systems foredoomed.

6

1881.  W. Wilkins, Songs of Study, 68.

        Hater of wantons, and shunner of sloth, and fleër of revels and feasts,
And scorner of man through the brutish in man, and lance-bearing slayer of beasts.

7