| 释义 |
† ˈbevar, ? a. or n. Obs.
In 3 beuir, 5 Sc. bevar.
[Of doubtful origin and meaning: most conjectures refer it to bever v. to tremble, shake.]
Known only in bevar hore. Since ME. hore (now hoar, q.v.) was both adj. ‘hoary,’ and n. ‘grey-beard’ (Ger. greis), it remains uncertain whether bevar was an adj. ‘feeble, worn-out,’ or a n. ‘old man’ or ? ‘feeble old man.’
a1275Prov. Alfred 627, And þu þen beuir hore sixst þe bi⁓foren stonden. c1450Henryson Age & Youth, The bevar hoir said to this birly berne. [1808Jamieson Sc. Dict. s.v., ‘We still say a bevir-horse for a lean horse, or one worn out with age or hard work.’] |