a. Obs. Also 1–2 ǽbére, ǽbǽre, 3 ebare, ebure, 4 ebber. [OE. ǽbére, (? ǽbere), of obscure origin; = OFris. âber, âuber, used as a law term in same sense.]
1. Manifest, unconcealed. The phrase ebere morþ (open murder) is retained in the Latin Laws of Henry I., and is quoted by the legal antiquaries of 17th c. as a technical term; see also ABERE. (Occasionally absol. ? = ‘manifest fool’ or ‘villain.’)
a. 975. Laws of Eadgar, II. vii. Se æbera þeof.
a. 1035. Laws of Cnut (Secular), lxv. Husbryce & bærnet & open þyfð and æbere morþ … is botleas.
c. 1200. Ormin, 7189. All þeȝȝre æbære unnþankness.
c. 1205. Lay., 2271. Saie me þu ebure [1275 ebare] sot.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 13662. He wald lere vs her vr lai, þat ebber þat in sine was gotin. Ibid., 15921. ‘Ful eber thuert [read thu ert] nai’ coth he. Ibid. (c. 1340), 13041 (Trin.). She þat was an ebber [G. obber] fol.
Hence † Eberly adv., manifestly, flagrantly.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8680. Þou lies … Ful eberli.
