y'ere

• IPA^(key): /jɜː(ɹ)/, (unstressed) /jə(ɹ)/

y'ere

1. (obsolete, rare) Contraction of ye were.
   • 1702, Charles Sedley, The Works of Sir Charles Sedley, Bart, 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.

• Eyer, Eyre, Reye, eery, eyer, eyre, yeer