Obs. Also 1 þearf, ðærf, 2 þerf, 3 (Orm.) þarrfe. [f. THARF v. Cf. OS. tharf, OHG. darba, ON. þǫrf.] Need, necessity.
Beowulf, 1798. Sele-þeʓn … se for andrysnum ealle beweotede þeʓnes þearfe.
735. Bæda, Death-song, 2. Thonc snotturra than him tharf sie.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., II. 84. ʓif þearf sie, sele hwilum wyrtdrenc.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 9. Nis hit nan þerf þet me her on þisse liue for his saule bidde pater noster.
c. 1200. Ormin, 12247. Onn alle þa þatt haffdenn ned & þarrfe to þin hellpe.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 16. And wele ysen, ȝif þai willen, Þat hem no þarf neuer spillen.
