English

Contraction

y'ere

1. (obsolete, rare) Contraction of ye were.
   • 1702, Charles Sedley, The Works of Sir Charles Sedley, Bar^t, page #6:

     Pardon me, Sir, my Bluntneſs muſt go on ;

     By barb’rous Fears and Counſels y’ere undone.

   • 1709, Robert Gould, A Satyr against the Pride, Luſt, and Inconſtancy, &c. of Woman, page #8:

     Rivers adorn the Earth ; the Fiſh, the Seas ;

     Flowers and Graſs, the Meadows ; Fruit and Trees ;

     The Starts, the Fields of Air thro’ which they ride ;

     And Woman all the Works of God beſide ;

     Yet baſe detracting Envy won’t allow

     They ſhould adorn themſelves ; then pray, Sir, now

     Produce ſome reaſons why y’ere ſo ſevere ;

     For envious as you are, you know they’re Fair.