lear

¹ American  

[leer] / lɪər /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. learning; instruction; lesson.

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Lear ² American  

[leer] / lɪər /

noun

1. Edward, 1812–88, English writer of humorous verse and landscape painter.

2. (italics) King Lear.

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Lear British  

/ lɪə /

noun

1. Edward. 1812–88, English humorist and painter, noted for his illustrated nonsense poems and limericks

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Etymology

Origin of lear

1350–1400; late Middle English lere lesson, noun use of lere to teach, Old English lǣran; cognate with Dutch leren, German lehren, Gothic laisjan; akin to lore ¹

Example Sentences

An ounce o' wit is worth a pound o' lear.

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

And aye the stound is birkin lear  Where sconnered yowies wheepen yestreen.

From The Humorous Poetry of the English Language; from Chaucer to Saxe by Parton, James

Now Dickie of Dryhope led that band,   And the never a word of lear had he.

From Lyra Heroica A Book of Verse for Boys by Various

Now Dickie of Dryhope led that band, And the nevir a word o’ lear had he.

From Ballads of Scottish Tradition and Romance Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Third Series by Sidgwick, Frank

Lear young, lear fair, Little intermitting makes good friends.

From Collection of Scotch Proverbs by Stampoy, Pappity