Etymology From Middle English ware, from Old English waru, from Proto-West Germanic *waru, from Proto-Germanic *warō (“attention”) as in beware, in the sense of “an object of care, a valuable”, from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to watch, keep guard”), whence also ward. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Were (“an item for exchange, barter, or sale; ware”), Dutch waar (“goods offered for sale or use; ware”), German Ware (“ware”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk vare (“ware”), Faroese vøra (“ware”), Icelandic and Swedish vara (“ware”).
1
In compounds, Usually Goods or a type of goods offered for sale or use.
Astbury was the more successful and made frequent journeys to London, where he sold his ware and obtained further orders.1923, John Lord, Capital and steam-power, 1750–1800:
On Sunday, a Mr. Stephen Muturi Kamau, aged 20 years, was shot dead at Dandora while he was selling his ware. This is a well known hawker. He has been hawking his ware in Dandora.2002 March 28, “Kenya National Assembly Official Record”, in parliamentary debates:
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What in the world am I going to do with tarnished silver ware? The deeper I dig, I pull out more silver with carved handles.2011, Tonya Kappes, Carpe Bead'em:
Artisans sell their ware in the historic district at the lower level of the Soldier's Barracks.2012, Julie Watson, Frommer's Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, page 179:
2
In plural, Usually See wares.
3
Usually Pottery or metal goods.
damascene ware, tole ware
4
Archaeology, History, Human sciences, SciencesUsually A style or genre of artifact.
And in like wise as she said so they departed, that neither the king nor none of his council were ware of their departing.1485 July 23, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter I, in William Caxton, editor, Le Morte D’Arthur, volume 1:
But here thou canst not handle aught, neither make the folk ware of thee, not though thou shout thy throat hoarse. For thou and I walk here impalpable and invisible, as it were two dreams walking.1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 1:
Etymology From Middle English waren (“to be ware, be on guard, be mindful, protect, guard”), from Old English warian, from Proto-West Germanic *warōn, from Proto-Germanic *warōną. Cognate with Saterland Frisian woarje (“to guard”).
1450, Palladius on Husbondrieː Ware the horn and heels lest they fling a flap to thee.
c. 1450, Who Ðat Liste Lokeː Ware avoutrer untrue; Such love was never good ne may be true.
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c. 1470, The Macro Playsː ‘Ware that!’ quoth Ser Wyly.
Ware cleaners.1987, Kangs, Doctor Who: Paradise Towers:
2
Obsolete To protect or guard (especially oneself); to be on guard, be wary.
Ware thee.
ware
adj
Etymology From Middle English waren (“to be ware, be on guard, be mindful, protect, guard”), from Old English warian, from Proto-West Germanic *warōn, from Proto-Germanic *warōną. Cognate with Saterland Frisian woarje (“to guard”).
He is ware inough; he is wilye, and circumſpect for ſtirring vp any ſedition.1549 April 1 (Gregorian calendar), Hughe Latymer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], Augustine Bernher, compiler, “[27 Sermons Preached by the Ryght Reuerende Father in God and Constant Matir of Iesus Christe, Maister Hugh Latimer, […].] The Thyrde Sermon of Maister Hughe Latymer whyche He Preached before the Kynge [Edward VI], wythin Hys Graces Palayce at Westminster, the XXII. Daye of Marche.”, in Certayn Godly Sermons, Made uppon the Lords Prayer, […], London: […] John Day, […], published 1562, →OCLC, folio 39, verso:
Of whom be thou ware also.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Timothy 4:15:
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Be he quite wary, as wood is ware of fire, as thigh of bramble or of thistle, he, who may be thinking to mislead these beeves or to mispossess this cattle.1864, Thomas Oswald Cockayne, Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England, page 385:
Etymology From Middle English wor (in sewor) from Old English wār (“seaweed”), ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *wīraz; compare wire. Cognate with Scots wair (“seaweed”), Dutch wier (“seaweed”), Middle Dutch wier (“seaweed”).
On many of the farms in East Lothian, from 100 to 120 Imperial acres are annually manured with sea-ware; and when I mention that 30 double-cart loads are spread on 1 acre, you may conceive the labour incurred in carting from 3000 to 3600 loads during a short season; for it is only in winter that the ware is cast ashore by storms,[…]1844, Henry Stephens, The book of the farm, page 1238:
The said farm, having been possessed […] in the deed of 12th July 1794, with the privilege of taking ware from the sea-shore for the use of the farm, and having been let by them to a tenant in 1804, with "liberty of the droven sea-ware, along with the other tenants of the Elie barony, for manuring the farm," […]1861 April 25, “William Baird, Appellant, v. William Ranken Fortune, Respondent”, in The Scottish Jurist: Being Reports of Cases Decided in the Supreme Courts of Scotland, and in the House of Lords on Appeal from Scotland, page 437:
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Each ware-strand, or beach where drift-weed comes to land, is set apart for a certain number of tenants on the estate to which it belongs, and each 'brook of ware' as it comes ashore is divided among these tenants, usually in proportion to their rents.1896, Charles James Longman, Longman's Magazine, page 34:
Againſt this ther ware many objections made by the creditors, viz., that quoad the 9000 lƀ. a year contained in his contract of marriage, they ware præferable, being præferable and prior creditors, and ſo he was ſucceſſor titulo lucrativo poſt contractum debitum; and as to the 6000 lƀ. per annum added, 1^(o.) before that letter they had a jus quæſitum by the ſignitor; 2^(do.) They had rights præferable.1684, Historical Notices of Scotish Affairs, Selected from the Manuscripts of John Lauder of Fountainhall, Bart., One of the Senators of the College of Justice, volumes second (1683–1688), Edinburgh, published 1848, page 533:
c. 1815, Mary Woody, A true account of Nayomy Wise A larg concors ware standing round
ware
noun
Etymology From Middle English ware, from Old Norse vár (“spring”), from Proto-Germanic *wazrą. Cognate with Icelandic vor (“spring”), Swedish vår (“spring”), Danish vår (“spring”), Scots ware, wair (“spring”).