ware
ware — adjective
1. knowing that a particular fact or situation exists; having knowledge or consciou
knowing that a particular fact or situation exists; having knowledge or consciousness of something — now mainly used in older literary texts.
The knight was ware of the danger that lay ahead on the dark road.
be ware of + danger — archaic literary pattern
Be ye ware of false prophets, said the old sermon, for they come in sheep's clothing.
imperative: be ye ware of — biblical-style construction
Few travellers were ware of the storm gathering beyond the mountain pass.
Iris was not ware of the plot unfolding behind her back.
文法句型
be ware of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Now considered archaic or literary. In modern English, 'aware' is the standard form. The pattern 'be ware of' survives only in deliberately old-fashioned or biblical-style writing.
常見錯誤
2. carefully watching for possible danger or trouble; alert and on one's guard — a
carefully watching for possible danger or trouble; alert and on one's guard — a sense found in older English.
The guards at the gate stood ware, watching the forest path for any sign of movement.
stood ware — archaic collocation meaning 'stood watchfully'
A wise ruler is ever ware of those who seek to deceive him.
Sumin kept ware through the long night, listening for her brother's return.
The scout remained ever ware, his eyes fixed on the ridge.
文法句型
be ware of + potential threat
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (AWARE): sense 1 is about knowledge or consciousness of a fact; sense 2 is about watchfulness and active caution. Both are archaic in modern English.
ware — noun
1. objects made from clay that have been shaped and fired in a kiln, especially whe
objects made from clay that have been shaped and fired in a kiln, especially when classified by type, style, or place of origin.
The museum display showed Japanese tea ware from the Edo period.
[modifier] + ware — combining with origin or style
Emre bought a set of handmade stoneware bowls at the craft market.
stoneware — specific ceramic type made of dense clay
Nora collected blue-and-white Delft ware for over thirty years.
The potter's studio was filled with unfinished earthenware waiting to be glazed.
文法句型
[modifier] + ware
用法筆記
When used alone (without a preceding modifier), 'ware' almost always refers to pottery. In modern use it is frequently combined with a preceding word: 'stoneware', 'earthenware', 'porcelain ware', etc.
常見錯誤
2. added to a word for a material or a purpose to refer to household items made fro
added to a word for a material or a purpose to refer to household items made from that material, especially those used for cooking, serving, or storage.
Rachel unpacked the glassware and put each cup on the shelf.
glassware — material + ware for household items
The kitchen store sells a wide range of bakeware and cookware.
bakeware / cookware — purpose + ware
Amira stored the leftovers in a plastic container labelled ovenware.
The wedding gift catalogue offered choices in silverware, crystal, and fine china.
文法句型
[material] + ware
[purpose] + ware
用法筆記
This is a combining form (a bound morpheme), not a standalone noun. You cannot say 'I bought a ware' to mean 'a household item'. It must be attached to a preceding word: 'glassware', 'ovenware', 'tableware', 'silverware'. In technology contexts, '-ware' also forms words like 'software', 'hardware', and 'shareware', though these refer to computer systems rather than household items.
常見錯誤
ware — verb
1. to stay away from someone or something because of possible harm; to be on guard
to stay away from someone or something because of possible harm; to be on guard against danger — an older use now replaced by the single word 'beware'.
Ware the dog, the old sign warned, though the fence had long since fallen down.
imperative: ware + noun phrase — archaic warning pattern
The sailors were told to ware the rocky coast during the night passage.
In the old tale, the villagers would ware the forest after dark for fear of wolves.
The wise traveller learns to ware the smooth tongue of a flatterer.
文法句型
ware + noun phrase (something dangerous)
用法筆記
This verb is almost exclusively found in historical or literary texts. In modern English, the imperative form has merged into the single word 'beware', which is used instead. The past tense 'wared' is extremely rare.
常見錯誤
2. to use money, goods, or other resources freely and wastefully, without concern f
to use money, goods, or other resources freely and wastefully, without concern for the cost — a regional or older use.
The prodigal son wared his inheritance on reckless pleasures in the city.
wared + money/resources — transitive use meaning 'spent wastefully'
Théo had wared his entire fortune before his family even learned of his troubles.
The old dialect tales describe a spendthrift waring his goods as if they cost nothing.
Sari had wared her savings on fine clothes and grand feasts.
- squander
the standard modern equivalent; implies waste of an opportunity or resource
- lavish
can be positive (generous) or negative (wasteful) depending on context
- fritter away
phrasal verb suggesting small, careless losses adding up
文法句型
ware + money/resources
用法筆記
This sense is historically attested but is now extremely rare, surviving chiefly in British dialect literature. It carries a strongly negative connotation of wastefulness or recklessness.