v. Obs. Forms: 1 eardian, 2–3 erde(n. [OE. eardian (= OHG. artôn to inhabit), f. eard, ERD sb.]
1. intr. To dwell, live.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., I. i. 18. On þæm morum eardiað Finnas.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. ii. 23. And he com þa and eardode on þære ceastre ðe is ʓenemned nazareth.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 89. Trowfeste men of elchere þeode þet under heofene erdeden.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 43. Ha ne muhen nawt somen earden in heuene.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter xxi. 4 [xxii. 3]. Þou soth-lik in haligh wel Erdest, loof of Israel.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4233. To the yle þere Appolyn erdis with in.
b. To be or to be found; to exist in a certain place, or in a certain condition.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 923. Þis stone … Is erdand in Judé. Ibid., 7128. Folk … entryd full Esely, erdyng in sorow.
2. trans. To inhabit.
Beowulf, 2590 (Gr.). Se mæra maʓa Ecʓðeowes sceolde … wic eardian elles hwerʓen.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter xxiv. [xv.] 13. His sede erde þe land sal swa.
Erd(e, etc., obs. forms of EARTH, etc.
