v. Obs. Forms: 1 ʓearcian, 2 ȝearceon, ȝeirke, 2–5 ȝarke, 3 ȝarrkenn (Orm.), ȝearkien, ȝarki, -i(e)n, ȝærek-, ȝarekien, ȝerke, 4 yark. [OE. ʓearcian, f. ʓearu YARE a. with factitive suffix as in ieldcian to delay, f. eald old.] trans. (and refl.) To make ready, prepare.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. xix. 3. He þa ʓearcode him ʓereord and hiʓ æton.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron., an. 1091 (Laud MS.). Þa ʓearcode he his fare & to Englelande com.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 19. He haueð us iȝarket þa ecche blisse ȝif we wulleð hit iernien in heuene riche.
c. 1200. Ormin, 9151. Forr þatt he wollde ȝarrkenn hemm Onnȝæness Cristess come.
c. 1205. Lay., 23275. Ȝarkieð bi þan flode Mine scipen gode.
a. 1225. [see YARE a. 1].
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8856. Was neuer man born þat cuth wirc Ne yark suilk a-noþer kirc.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. VII. 80. He þat ȝiueth, ȝeldeth and ȝarketh hym to reste.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 882. He forȝet not, but ȝepely ȝarkit hym þerfore.
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 6070. His men he ȝarked Euerychon vnto that fyght.
1708. Kersey, To Yark, (N[orth] C[ountry]) to prepare.
b. To put in a position; to set, place. Yark to, to shut; yark up, to open. Also fig., pass. and intr., to pass into a state.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 820. Þay ȝolden hym þe brode ȝate, ȝarked vp wyde.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 414. Yong men yepely yarke into Elde. Ibid., 5595. Now is ȝepely a yere yarket to end. Ibid., 6081. For to ȝarpe [sic] vp the ȝate he ȝepely comaund. Ibid., 10738. Þai ȝarkit to þe yatis ȝepely onon. Ibid., 11265. Þai kepyn the cloyse of this clene burgh, With ȝep men at þe yatis ȝarkit full þik.
c. To ordain, decree, appoint; to grant, bestow.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8982. Hard it es, þe wird o sin Þat yarked was til adam kin!
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 758. Ȝif þou ȝernez hit, ȝet ȝark I hem grace.
a. 1400. Emare, 329. Such sorow was here ȝarked ȝore.
Hence † Yarking vbl. sb., preparation.
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. (Spelman), second ix. 20 [x. 17]. Ȝearcunge heortan [Vulg. præparationem cordis].
c. 1200. Ormin, 10800. Itt [sc. John’s baptism] wass ȝarrkinng ȝæn fulluhht Þatt Crist sellf shollde settenn.
