lear

¹ American  

[leer] / lɪər /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. learning; instruction; lesson.

---

Lear ² American  

[leer] / lɪər /

noun

1. Edward, 1812–88, English writer of humorous verse and landscape painter.

2. (italics) King Lear.

---

Lear British  

/ lɪə /

noun

1. Edward. 1812–88, English humorist and painter, noted for his illustrated nonsense poems and limericks

---

Etymology

Origin of lear

1350–1400; late Middle English lere lesson, noun use of lere to teach, Old English lǣran; cognate with Dutch leren, German lehren, Gothic laisjan; akin to lore ¹

Example Sentences

O I will sing to you a sang, Will grieve your heart full sair; How the Clerk's twa sons o' Owsenford Have to learn some unco lear.

From English and Scottish Ballads, Volume II (of 8) by Various

Ye should ken that sang, if ye hae lear aneugh in your steel-bound noddles.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 4 by Various

Yuckel, woodpecker; axed, asked; vamous munch, excellent meal; lear, empty; caddlin’, quarrelsome.

From English Dialects From the Eighth Century to the Present Day by Skeat, Walter W. (Walter William)

"But now *no force,* for well I see *no matter* What thou desirest for to lear."

From The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems by Purves, D. Laing

One or two examples will serve to exhibit the use and effect of this anomalous Tense:—Shuidh an �g bhean air sgeir, is a s�il air an lear.

From Elements of Gaelic Grammar by Stewart, Alexander