Obs. Also 2–3 erfe, (Orm. errfe), erve. [Common Teut.: OE. ęrfe, ięrfe, yrfe, corresp. to OFris. erve (Du. erf), OHG. erbi, arbi (MHG. and Ger. erbe), Goth. arbi:—OTeut. *arƀjo(m neut. ‘inheritance’ (ON. has arfr masc., whence Sw. arf, Da. arv), related to Gr. ὀρφανός orphan, L. orbus bereft. Cf. ORF.]

1

  For the specially Eng. development of meaning, cf. cattle.

2

  1.  Cattle.

3

1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1125. Hunger and cwealm on men and on erue.

4

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 39. Ðese fower mannisshe … beð þat erf þe þo herdes ouer wuakeden.

5

c. 1200.  Ormin, 1068. Off þatt errfe þatt tær wass Drihhtin to lake ȝarrkedd.

6

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 2750. Moyses … wattrede here erue euerilc on. Ibid., 3018. Egyptes erf sal al for-faren.

7

a. 1300.  E. E. Psalter cxlviii. 10. Bestes and alle erfes ma.

8

  2.  Comb. † erfe-blood, blood of animals; † erf-kin, the race of animals, cattle.

9

c. 1200.  Ormin, 1788. Þatt allterr þatt tatt errfe blod Wass eȝȝwhær strennkedd onne.

10

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3177. Al erf-kin hauen he ut-led.

11