[Middle English erren, from Old French errer, from Latin errāre, to wander; see ers- in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: The pronunciation (ûr) for the word err is traditional, but the pronunciation (ěr) has gained ground in recent years, perhaps owing to influence from errant and error, and must now be regarded as an acceptable variant. The Usage Panel was split on the matter: 56 percent preferred (ûr), 34 percent preferred (ěr), and 10 percent accepted both pronunciations.
1303, from O.Fr. errer, from L. errare "wander, go astray, be in error" (a general Gmc. borrowing, cf. O.H.G. arunti "message," O.N. erendi, Goth. airziþa "error, deception"), from PIE base *ers- "wander around" (cf. Skt. arsati "flows," O.E. ierre "angry, straying").
Used on the consolidated tape to indicate that an error has been made when reporting a transaction in the indicated security: ERR.LAST.IBM. The previous report, therefore, should be disregarded.