A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1400, 1499-1513
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Ȝarn(e, Ȝerne, adv. [ME and e.m.E. ȝerne (c1175), ȝarne (Cursor M.), OE ᵹeorne, ON gjarna.]
1. Keenly, eagerly, zealously, energetically, earnestly; ? swiftly.1375 Barb. iii 547.
The king then at thaim speryt ȝarne How thai sen he thaim seyne had farne 1375 Barb. xix 570.
Thai stabbyt stekyt and slew And pailȝownys doun ȝarne thai drew a1400 Legends of the Saints ii 204.
[They] Praide hym ȝarne he wald tham say Quha wes [etc.] a1400 Legends of the Saints ii 1076.
Petir and Paule war ȝarne prechand To thame that lang tym striwine had a1400 Legends of the Saints v 465.
Be-hald ȝone ald … how ȝarne He plais vith ȝone foule, as a barne! a1400 Legends of the Saints xxvii 145.
Fra ded to lyf he [sc. the baby] come but bad & squelyt gret & raryt ȝarne a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxiii 212.
Come a knycht Ȝarne rydande a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 433.
A serpent … set hir ȝarne With all hir pith to sla this barne a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1855.
All the peple cryit ȝarne Gud master now defend thi barne a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i 323.
Sum vsit the dansis to deme Of Cipres and Boheme Sum the faitis full ȝarne Off Portingall and Naverne 1513 Doug. iv vii 83.
The blak swarm [sc. of ants] our the feildis walkis ȝarn [Ruddim. ȝerne]compar. a1400 Legends of the Saints xxx 228.
‘Ȝete is a think … That gyf I durst I wald say' ‘Tel one, deme … I ȝou pray' Thane mad the kerlyng sum dangere, Wittand scho suld the ȝarnare spere
2. ? Firmly, fast.1513 Doug. vi vii 44.
A myr tre wod about thame lowkyt ȝarn
