a. Obs. or dial. Forms: 2–3 attri, 3 attriȝ, 3–6 attrie, 4 attre, 4–5 attry(e, 5–9 attery. [f. ATTER sb. + -Y1.]
1. Venomous, poisonous.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., I. 152. Gif hwa mid his fet of stepð ættriʓ bansnacan.
c. 1220. Hali Meid., 15. Earewen idrencte of an attri haliwei.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 288. His teð beoð attrie, ase of ane wode dogge.
2. Mixed with gall, bitter. lit. and fig.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 188. Þet attri drunc þet ine ȝef him, þeo him þurste o rode. Ibid., 190. Þauh hit þunche attri, hit is þauh healuwinde.
3. Malignant, malicious, spiteful.
c. 1200. Ormin, 9785. All fulle off attriȝ lund And fulle of bitterr spæche.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 509. Thanne cometh of ire attry anger.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 493. With atrie visage and with glowrand ene.
1868. Halliwell, Dict., Attery, irascible, choleric. West.
4. Full of morbid or bloody matter.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., III. 431. With bludie woundis so attrie and reid.
1868. Halliwell, Dict., Attery, purulent. East.
