v. Obs. Forms: 3 bireowen, birewen, 4 birue, 4–5 birewe, 5 biriwe. [ME. bireowen, birewen, f. bi-, BE- 4 + reowen, rewen:—OE. hréowan to RUE.]
1. trans. To repent of, rue; also impers.
c. 1200. Ormin, 4506. Whase maȝȝ … innwarrdliȝ bireowenn itt.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 250. Þough þe riche … birewe þe tyme Þat euere he gadered so grete and gaf … so litel.
2. To feel sorry for, pity (a person).
a. 1300. in Wright, Pop. Treat. Sc., 137. Thu makest the se [= so] heȝ her, and noman nelt bi-rue.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., II. xvii. 253. Y schal neuere biriwe ȝou.
