Obs. Forms: 6–7 arder, 7 ardor, -our, -ure. [Prob. a. ON. arðr plow, prob. ad. L. aratrum; cf. also Gael. arad plow, and ardar plow, ardur plowman, in West Cornwall Gloss. Cf. ARDAGH.]
1. Plowing; esp. the fallowing, or plowing up vacant land some time before the seed is put in.
1581–2. Invent., in Best Farm. Bks. (1856), 172. For tyllinge of barlye land, one arder.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countr. Farm, 534. In one arder or two you shall make your ground as cleare of weeds as possible.
1688. M. Robinson, Treat. Faith, 117. Who can expect to reap much from a single ardour, or once ploughing?
[1793–1813. Agric. Surv. Durh., 68. What is here called four aders, viz. wheat, clover, oats, and fallow.]
2. The state of being plowed up.
1524. MS. Leases Dean & Ch. York, i. [The lessee to] leve the arable land in gud ardure and tilht.
3. Land plowed up and left fallow, fallow land.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (1856), 132. To sowe olde ardure.
1668. Invent., in Best Farm. Bks. (1856), 176. The winter corne sowne on the grounde and the arders, 45l.
