Ware (?), obs. imp. of Wear.
Wore.
Ware, n. [OE. ware, AS. waru;
akin to D. waar, G. waare, Icel. & Sw. vara, Dan.
vare; and probably to E. worth, a. See Worth,
a.] Articles of merchandise; the sum of articles of
a particular kind or class; style or class of manufactures; especially, in
the plural, goods; commodities; merchandise. "Retails his
wares at wakes." Shak. "To chaffer with them and eke to sell
them their ware." Chaucer.
It the people of the land bring ware or any victuals
on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the
Sabbath, or on the holy day.
Neh. x. 31.
☞ Although originally and properly a collective noun, it admits of
a plural form, when articles of merchandise of different kinds are meant.
It is often used in composition; as in hardware, glassware,
tinware, etc.
Ware, a. [OE. war, AS.
wær. √142. See Wary.] A ware; taking
notice; hence, wary; cautious; on one's guard. See Beware.
[Obs.]
She was ware and knew it bet [better] than
he.
Chaucer.
Of whom be thou ware also.
2. Tim.
iv. 15.
He is ware enough; he is wily and circumspect for
stirring up any sedition.
Latimer.
The only good that grows of passed fear
Is to be wise, and ware of like again.
Spenser.Ware, n. [AS. wār.]
(Bot.) Seaweed. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Ware goose (Zoöl.), the brant; -- so
called because it feeds on ware, or seaweed. [Prov. Eng.]
Ware, v. t. (Naut.) To wear, or
veer. See Wear.
Ware, n. [AS. waru caution.] The
state of being ware or aware; heed. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Ware, v. t. [As. warian.] To make
ware; to warn; to take heed of; to beware of; to guard against.
"Ware that I say." Chaucer.
God . . . ware you for the sin of
avarice.
Chaucer.
Then ware a rising tempest on the main.
Dryden.