Obs. Also 4 lesar, -er. [f. LEESE v.1 + -ER1.]

1

  1.  A destroyer. (Cf. LEESE v.1 3.)

2

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 31. Þe fals world þat is leser of alle þat it loven. Ibid., 470. Lesars of mennys soulis.

3

  2.  A loser.

4

1546.  St. Papers Hen. VIII., XI. 366. The Protestantes ar leesers by the withdrawinge of theyr armye.

5

a. 1575.  R. Cheney, Lett., in Abp. Parker’s Corr. (Parker Soc.), 139. If your pleasure be that I only shall be a leeser … I will hold me content with 40l. loss.

6

1591.  Harington, Orl. Fur., XXIII. xxvii. Then winners bost, when leesers speake their fill.

7