v. Obs. [prob. a. ON. erta to taunt, tease; but cf. ART v.1]
1. trans. a. To incite, urge on, encourage. Const. on, to, till, and to with inf. Also with on. b. To irritate, provoke.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., Prol. 5. That thai mai her and hald in hert, Thinge that thaim til God mai ert. Ibid., 19. Quen Crist cumes intil our hertes, To lef sin he us ertes.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4857. We haue ournyt hym with angur, ertid hym mykill. Ibid., 12326. To ert hym on exile euer of the londe.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 142. Ertyn, irrito.
1789. D. Davidson, Seasons, 24 (Jam.). The ’herd … now and then, Erts on the tir’d tike with ‘sheep awa a a!’
absol. c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 2725. Envy, þat Euermore ertis to skathe.
2. intr. To be eager, prone; to hurry.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 264. He ertide to an ende egerly fast.
Hence † Ertand ppl. a., pressing on, ambitious. † Erter, one who provokes. † Erting vbl. sb., the action of the vb. ERT.
c. 1440. Gaw. & Gol., xxxi. Schir Gawyne … Egir, and ertand, and ryght anterus.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 142. Ertare, irritator, irritatrix. Ibid., 142. Ertynge, irritacio.
