-ier

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-ier1 var. -yer, in agent-nouns based on native words and functioning as -ER1. Among the earliest exx. (XIII) are tiliere, extension with -ere of OE. tilia tiller, cultivator, bowiare bowyer, maker of bows; these may have served as models for other formations of various and sometimes obscure orig., e.g. brazier, clothier; collier, drovier, glazier, grazier, haulier, hosier, lawyer, sawyer.

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