a. Sc. and north. dial. Obs. [Origin obscure. From the variant readings in Wars of Alexander, 1404, and elsewhere, it would seem to have been an alteration of tore, TOR a., in the same sense, under the influence of tere vb. to TIRE; or to have arisen out of tere vb. by change of syntax and identification of the resulting adj. with tore.] Difficult, tedious, tiresome, toilsome.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1404 (MS. A.). It ware tere [MS. D. It wald tere] any tonge to of his turnes rekyn. Ibid., 4918. It ware to tere me to tell þe tirement to-gedire.
a. 1400. Anturs of Arth., 121. To telle þe todes þercone my tonge were fulle tere [v.r. were to tere].
a. 1440. Sir Degrev., 1409. To tell here metus was tere, That was served at here sopere.
c. 1450. Holland, Howlat, 578. The order of thar armis, it war to tell teir.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 27. Mony others that tere is to tell.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XI. Prol. 197. For sa schort renovne [thay] warryn so bald To sustene weir and panis teir ontald.
So † Terefull (5 teirfull, tyrefull) a. Sc. Obs.
c. 1450. Holland, Howlat, 421. It war tyrefull to tell, dyte or address.
c. 1475. Golagros & Gaw., 760. It war teirfull to tell treuly the tend Of thair strife sa strang. Ibid., 33, 42.
