Obs. exc. Sc. and dial. (see E.D.D.). Forms: 3–5, 9 stere, 4 ster, ? sterre, 5, 9 steer, 7 steare. [App. repr. OE. *stére (EWS. *stíere) = OHG. stiuri, stûri strong, proud, MLG. stûr stiff, severe, stern:—OTeut. type *steurjo-, usually referred to the Indogermanic root *st(h)eu- to be fixed or rigid: cf. STEER sb.1 and sb.2]
1. Strong, stout.
13[?]. Ipotis, 440 (Vernon MS.), in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 346. Beten wiþ scourges stronge and ster.
c. 1415. Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 125. Stedes ther stumbelyd in that stownde, That stod stere stuffed under stele.
c. 1425. Non-Cycle Myst. Plays, 19. With storms both stiff and steer.
c. 1450. Guy Warw., 662. Then came the dewke Raynere, An hardy knyght and a stere.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 51. Wheare the oates have beene steare, and much scattered.
† 2. ? Staunch, steadfast in affection (to another).
a. 1300. K. Horn, 1344 (Camb.). He luueþ him so dere, & is him so stere.
