Dictionary entry

Were (5)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Were (wēr), n. [AS. wer; akin to OS. & OHG. wer, Goth. waír, L. vir, Skr. vīra. Cf. Weregild, and Werewolf.]

1. A man.

2. A fine for slaying a man; the money value set upon a man's life; weregild.

Every man was valued at a certain sum, which was called his were. Bosworth.