"manufactured goods, goods for sale," Old English waru, probably originally "object of care, that which is kept in custody," from Proto-Germanic *waro (cf. Swedish vara, Danish vare, Old Frisian were, Middle Dutch were, Dutch waar, Middle High German, German ware "goods"); related to Old English wær "aware, cautious" (see wary). Usually wares, except in compounds such as hardware, earthenware, etc. Lady ware was a jocular 17c. euphemism for "a woman's private parts," and Middle English had ape-ware "deceptive or false ware; tricks" (mid-13c.).
"to take heed of, beware," Old English warian "to guard against," from Proto-Germanic *warojan, from *waro- "to guard, watch" (cf. Old Frisian waria, Old Norse vara); related to Old English wær "aware" (see wary).
-ware A suffix that means "software," as in shareware. |