Obs. Also 3 erward. [ME. ereward, OE. ęrfe-weard, f. ęrfe (ięrfe, yrfe) inheritance + weard keeper, lord.] An heir. Also in comb. ereward-riche [+ ME. riche, OE. ríce dominion], inheritance.
c. 975. Rushw. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 38. Þis is se erfe-weard.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke xx. 14. Her ys se yrfe-weard.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 934. Of ðe self sal ðin erward ten. Ibid., 1512. Two doles of ereward riche auen.
