puer

Etymology 1

Perhaps from French puer.

noun

1. (chiefly historical) Dung (of dogs, fowls, etc) used in tanning, after applying lime, to soften skins.
   A solution called the ‘pure’ or the 'pewer' (having never seen the word written.., we must spell it as pronounced) is prepared in a large vessel, and into this the skins are immersed. 1842, The Penny Magazine, May 212/1
   […] The bacteria of fresh dog-dung were not found to possess a satisfactory puering effect, but those from dung with had been fermented a month (as in practice) have a result nearly equal to actual puer. 1903, Henry Richardson Proctor, The principles of leather manufacture, page 174
   […] it was about 50 years before the use of puer was discontinued, at least in Europe. 2009, Tony Covington, Tanning Chemistry: The Science of Leather, page 166

Etymology 2

From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of 普洱 (pǔ'ěr), without syllable-dividing mark (隔音符號／隔音符号 (géyīn fúhào)).

noun

1. Alternative form of pu'er

Etymology 3

noun

1. Ellipsis of puer aeternus.
   “No; you called it that. Anyway, what’s wrong with ‘whither’?” / “Oh, that; we had to struggle through a high school commencement speech one time, something about ‘Whither now, oh, puers and puellas?’ and now the word gives us the hiccoughs.” 1957, IW: The Management Magazine, volume 140, page 6
   As I mentioned earlier, the circumstances that precipitate puer development prece sexual differentiation and the formation of a strong identity based on gender. Some puers and puellas are, therefore, heterosexual, others are homosexual. 1979, Quadrant, volume 12 or 13, page 102
   TR spirit-work: For some extreme and gifted puers and puellas, Jesus or Mary another spirit comes in vivid visions. […] The blessing, though related to the body, takes place mainly on a heavenly-spiritual place. It is a necessary beginning for puers and puellas, though much embodied “shadow-material” remains to be dealt with, including the “nasty old (wo)man.” 1996, Seymour Boorstein, editor, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, 2nd edition, State University of New York Press, pages 472, 473
   Mr. Pan, I wrote a book that owes much to von Franz's interpretation of the puer syndrome: THE SECRET RAVEN: Conflict and Transformation in the Life of Franz Kafka (Inner City Books, 1980). Also, my book THE SURVIVAL PAPERS: Anatomy of a Midlife Crisis (Inner City, 1988) is a narrative about the personal analysis of a puer brought to his knees by his own psychology. 8 June 1996, Daryl Sharp, “Re: Puer Aeternus info.”, in alt.psychology.jung (Usenet), message-ID <31B98038.779E@inforamp.net>
   Having a child was a definite turning point in my puella lifestyle, so was getting an education and working towards a serious career. John Lee's book is on my shelf and will have to give it another look in the coming days. I much prefer Hillman's twist on the puer archetype over some of the Jungians. Even my fav, Von-Franz, is a bit too pessimistic about it. Hillman's archetypal dig brings back the positive aspects of the puer/puella and for those of us who inhabit this realm,it was a great relief to be able to claim more than the negative side of it. 21 February 1999, Sharyn C, “Re: Hillman Online”, in alt.psychology.jung (Usenet), message-ID <3B348FE4.1963DB1D@prodigy.net>
   Nobody understands the puer aeternus and also the puella aetermiss because they are the archetypicals of eternity in time. […] The puer and puella are more like masks/roles in this respect because no one ever measures up to these standards. So most people only know the pue's by the shadow or shallow. […] And the puers and puellas don't remember anymore the ego's DIGNITY AND HONOR because they are worn out. 3 June 2000, Troubledoor, “Re: Question about Puer and Thanatos”, in alt.psychology.jung (Usenet), message-ID <393843A8.737705E6@earthlink.net>
   The combination of Scorpio and Capricorn is not a terribly cheerful image, and considering the mundane events of the time in which this transit occurred, we would be fools to consider that the product of those times might be a lighthearted, happy-go-lucky bunch of puers and puellas. […] Puers and puellas have a very hard time individuating into their aging process. 2005, Erin Sullivan, Astrology of Midlife and Aging
   You see, puers and puellas are always about to make a change; one day they’ll do what’s necessary—but not just yet. 2005, Daryl Sharp, Not the Big Sleep: On Having Fun, Seriously: A Jungian Romance, Inner City Books, page 48
   We are also familiar with the type of man or woman who is overly dominated by the Eternal Youth. Though more common in the first half of life, there are Puers and Puellas of all ages, and their energy is often a delight during courting. […] These Puers and Puellas can never commit, fearing that choices may limit their options. 2007, Robert A. Johnson, Jerry Ruhl, Living Your Unlived Life: Coping with Unrealized Dreams and Fulfilling Your Purpose in the Second Half of Life