Now Sc. and north. dial. Also 5–7 lere, 6 leare, 6–7 leer(e, 9 leir. [f. LERE v.; but in mod. Sc. use prob. a mere graphic variant of lair, lare: see LORE.] Instruction, learning; in early use † a piece of instruction, a lesson; † also, a doctrine, religion.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 3759. For many leres may þe limpe slik as þou noȝt wenes!
c. 1440. Sir Gowther, 231. Y will to Rome er than y reste, To leve up another lere.
a. 1450. Le Morte Arth., 521. The knightis þat were wise of lere.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 262. He, that had wel ycond his lere.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 22. And teach our Gentiles vertuous leere.
1594. Lyly, Moth. Bomb., II. v. He learn’d his leere of my sonne.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, II. i. I. xix. Queen of Philosophie and virtuous lear!
1652. Stapylton, trans. Herodian, 37. So well his leere he couth.
1720. Ramsay, Edinburgh’s Salut., vi. Classic lear and letters belle.
1837. R. Nicoll, Poems (1842), 95. He gaed to the school, an’ he took to the lear.
1882. Stevenson, Mery Men, ii. Wks. 1895, VIII. 126. Your heid [is] dozened wi’ carnal leir.
b. Comb. lear-father, a master in learning; see also quot. 1855.
1533. Gau, Richt Vay, 15. Elders techours and leirfaders.
1702. C. Leslie, Reply to ‘Anguis Flagellatus,’ Theol. Wks. 1721, II. 612. The Man who was call’d G. Fox’s Lear-Father.
1855. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., Lay-father or Lear-father, a person whose conduct has influenced others; an exemplar.
