Obs. [First c. 1400; f. BE- 2 + WARE v. to spend (still in every-day use in the north).] trans. To lay out (money, etc.), expend, spend.

1

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, I. 636. Thus oght wyse men beware by folis: If so thow do thy wit is wele by waryd.

2

1393.  Gower, Conf., I. 262. If the clerk beware his faith In chapmanhode at such a faire.

3

c. 1460.  How March. dyd Wyfe betray, 244, in Hazl., E. P. P., 207. Yf thou thynke hyt not wele besett, Gyf hyt another can be ware hytt bett.

4

c. 1460.  Childe of Bristowe, 220, Ibid., 119. He let never, til he had bewared alle the tresour his fader spared.

5

1472.  Marg. Paston, Lett., 689, III. 37. If ye bewar any mor money … I shall pait you ageyn.

6