Obs. Forms: 1 stéora, stíora, stíera, 3–5 stere, 4–6 steere, 6 Sc. steir. [OE. stéora wk. masc. = OHG. stiuro (MHG. stiure, stûre):—OTeut. type *steurjon-, related to prec. sb.] A steersman, helmsman; transf. a ruler or controller.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., lvi. 431. Swelce se stiora slepe on midre sæ, & forlure ðæt stiorroður.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3413. Al bi ðhusenz ðis folc was told, Ilc ðhusent adde a meister wold; And vnder ðis tgen steres ben, Ilc here on hundred to bi-sen.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Man of Law’s T., 350. He that is lord of Fortune be thy steere.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 1020. She is here, That of thi lyue and of thi deith is stere.
a. 1568. A. Scott, Poems, xv. 25. Sweit maistres,… Steir, rewll, and gyder of my senssis richt.
