Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Anent, prep. Also: anente, anentt, annent, ainent. [ME. anent, anen, before, opposite, towards, concerning, early ME. oneuent, onefent, OE. on emn, on efn, on efen, on even ground, near, by. Cf. Anentis,prep.]

1. Over against; opposite; in front of; before. 1375 Barb. i. 187.
Fra Weik anent Orkenay To Mullyr-snwk in Gallaway Ib. viii. 124.
The kyng lay in-to Gawlistoun That is rycht evyn anent Lowdoun a1400 Leg. S. xxxii. 754.
He … stud anente the caldrone 1466 Reg. Great S. 214/2.
The said burn anent the holl gate a1500 Rauf C. 278.
Than callit he on the carll, anent quhair he lay 1534 Bamff Chart. 65.
To ane blind well heid anent the entries of ane burn 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 307.
Andro Henrysone anent the Stinking style 1638 Bamff Chart. 253.
West anent the neather end of the risk of Stronmoir 1668 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 112.
Ilk inhabitant … sall heave the wynes & casies … made clean anent ther housses

2. In the sight or opinion of; before. 1456 Hay I. 132/32.
Na as anent God my conscience sall nocht be chargit tharewith Ib. 134/28.
The tane is excusit anent God, and the tothir nocht

3. With respect or reference to; in regard or relation to; concerning, about. Also as anent. a1400 Leg. S. xi. 163.
Anent oure condicione, We grant ws seruandis ay bown Of Ihesu Criste 1424 Acts II. 7/1.
Item anent hospitalys that ar fundit of almous dedis 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 7.
It is ordanit … as anent the contribucion made to our kingis dochter … that [etc.] 1466 Acta Aud. 5/2.
Anent the excepcioune proponit … the lordis deliuers [etc.] c1475 Wall. viii. 1141.
Gret fawour will off fortoun till him fall Anent wemen, is seyne in mony place 1510 Misc. Spald. C. V. 394.
As anent the qui callit Hurre, liand in Sanct Andros parochyn 1534 Bamff Chart. 64.
Anent the evidents, charters, and wrytings … tane out of Bamff fraudfullie 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6/24.
Ȝe may considder … The thocht and mynde scho tuke … Anent hir sone 1596 Dalr. I. 227/10.
Albeit … he appeiret to snapper anent the celebratione of the Pasche day 1618–9 Misc. Spald. C. V. 142.
His Majestes proclamatioun anent douncalling of the pryces of gold 1655 Brodie Diary 123.
I heard the Ladi Grant's errand was anent the witch which wes letten loos 1680 Soc. Ant. XLV. 245.
Seek much of the mind of the Lord annent quhat is called for at your hands 1705 Acts XI. 223/1.
The Act anent the way of chooseing Officers of State