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

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

Correct, Corre(c)k, v. Also: corek, cureck, corra(c)k. [ME. correcte (c 1340), L. correct-, ppl. stem of corrigere. Cf. Correct p.p.]

1. tr. To recall (a person) to right conduct by reproof or severity; to reprove, chastise or punish. Also absol.(a) 1456 Hay II. 29/23.
Grete lak is to reprove and correct otheris in that that he is foular smyttit him self a1500 Henr. III. 127/33.
God of his iustice mon correct, And of his mercie petie haif 1519 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. 353.
To … correct all maner of trespassouris … for all trespassis and faultis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2551.
Gyff thy brother doith oucht thé tyll offend, Than secretlye correct hym 1558-66 Knox II. 389.
I can skarslie weill abyd the tearis of my awin boyes whome my awin hand correctis a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xviii. 32.
Mak weir on thame as commoun inimie, And thame correct now in to this new ȝeir(b) 1461 Peebles B. Rec. 141.
Quhen he sa defaltis he sal be correkit be the balyeis c1460 Thewis Gud Wemen 151.
Na wald [thai] neuer correkyt bee, Na ȝit reprowyt in no degre 1468 Lindores Abbey 163.
He declynyt the balȝe, and sayd he wald not be cureckyt be hym 1495 Reg. Cupar A. I. 246.
Thai and thare tennandis sal be obedient to vs, and correkit of al faltis be our successouris and ministeris 1513 Rep. Hist. MSS., Var. Coll. V. 88.
Giff sabeis … I salbe correckit be my forsaidis freindis, and leiff the place at thair commandis 1533 Gau 13/24.
Thay that corekkis noth oders quhilk takis the nayme of God in uane 1535 Stewart 29489.
[They] ane counsall set how tha suld him corrack Ib. 45086.
Pretendand syne richt sone for to corrak This ilk king Iohnne 1587-99 Hume 74/190.
The censor is impropre to correck, That in himselfe hes ony kinde of bleck

b. Coupled with punis (punish). 1456 Hay I. 104/26. Ib. 115/5.
The Pape aw to correct and punys him 1476 Breadalbane Doc. (Reg. H.) No. 14.
The inobedientis & trespassouris within the said boundis till pvnys & corek eftir thair demerytis 1516 Reg. Privy S. I. 412/2.
To correk and punis all thame that beis lauchfullie warnit … and dissobeis 1535 Stewart 39902.
Thairfoir he dred and held his hand abak, So planelie than to puneis and corrak 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 141.
The … ministerie committis the saidis Jhon Duncan in the handis of the ballies present to be civile correckit and punist a1578 Pitsc. I. 27/7.
Albeit the gouernoure punischeit and correctit thir men according to thair demereittis

2. To deal with (an action or condition) by way of remedy; to amend by reproof or punishment. 1456 Hay I. 274/12.
Sa that the determinacioun and decesioun … had bene before a juge ordinare, and the crime correkkit thare Ib. II. 30/10.
Thou that … , will correk otheris defaultis, correk thine awin faultis fyrst a1500 Henr. III. 165/81.
For our vice, that iustice mon correct c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxx. 18.
Our rudnes may nocht lichtlie be correctit Ib. 21.
Gar thy iustice be be reuth correctit 1535 Stewart 3835.
He schupe his faltis to corrak 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8233.
Ay thy minde with falset was infectit, Traisting all time sic wald not be correctit a1585 Maitl. Q. lxvii. 12.
Ay let wit thy will correct

3. To free from error or defect. a1500 Henr. Fab. 42.
I pray ȝour reuerence … Correct it at ȝour willis gracious 1482 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 35.
Gif thir writs be … nocht cleir in ony thing, at thai be reformit and correckit be the sicht of the frendis of baytht the said parteis 1549 Compl. 16/5.
To vndirtak to correct the imperfectione of ane comont veil 1567 Ann. Banff II. 384.
This present assidatioun … to be … correckit and amendit … as oft as … the saidis assidatowris thinkis expedient

4. To mend, repair. 1513 Treas. Acc. IV. 523.
To the sclatter tyrvand, thekand and correckand the chapell