Obs. [OE. waru fem. = OFris. ware, OS., OHG. wara (MHG. ware, war):—OTeut. *warō, f. *war- to guard, watch:—pre-Teut. *wor-; cf. Gr. Ϝορ- in θυρωρός (*θυρᾱ-Ϝορός) doorkeeper.] Watchful care, heed; safe-keeping, defence, protection. Phr. on ware, on one’s guard, cautious.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., V. iv. (1883), 224. For þon Antiochus ʓiemde hwæt he hæfde monna ʓerimes, & ne nom nane ware hulice hie wæron.
a. 1000. Guthlac, 718. Stod se grena wong in godes wære.
1297. R. Glouc., 2483. Vor wanne ich am dukes sone, it become to me Vor to abbe some gret cite oþer castel me to ware.
c. 1300. in Wright, Lyric P., 46. Ah feyre levedis be on-war, To late cometh the ȝeyn char, when love ou hath y-bounde.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 7380. Honerable Ector, þat eger was ay, Euer waker and vnwar [= on ware], wightist in armys.
