Definition of "ware"

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, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter I, in William Caxton, editor, Le Morte D’Arthur‎, volume 1

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

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

Ware the horn and heels lest they fling a flap to thee.

1450, Palladius on Husbondrieː

Ware avoutrer untrue; Such love was never good ne may be true.

c. 1450, Who Ðat Liste Lokeː

‘Ware that!’ quoth Ser Wyly.

c. 1470, The Macro Playsː

Ware cleaners.

1987, Kangs, Doctor Who: Paradise Towers

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, folio 39, verso

Of whom be thou ware also.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 2 Timothy 4:15

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

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

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

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