Lærig.—Without contraverting Mr. Singer's learned and interesting paper on this word (No. 19. p. 292.), I hope I shall not be thought presumptuous in remarking that there must have been some other root in the Teutonic language for the two following nouns, leer (Dutch) and lear (Flemish), which both signify leather (lorum, Lat.), and their diminutives or derivatives leer-ig and lear-ig, both used in the sense of tough.
Supposing the Ang.-Sax. "lærig" to be derived from the same root, it would denote in "ofer linde lærig," the leather covering of the shields, or their capability to resist a blow.
I will thank you to correct two misprints in my last communication, p. 299.; pisan for pison, and 'Ιοαννης for 'Ιωαννης.
By the by, the word "pison" is oddly suggestive of a covering for the breast (pys, Nor. Fr.). See Foulques Fitzwarin, &c.
B.W.
March 16th.
Lærig (No. 19. p. 292.).—The able elucidation given by Mr. Singer of the meaning of this word, renders, perhaps, any futher communication on the point unnecessary. Still I send the following notes in case they should be deemed worthy of notice.
"Ler, leer—vacuus. Berini Fabulæ, v. 1219. A.-S. ge-lær."
Junii Etymol. Anglicanum.
"Lar, lær—vacuus."