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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.

Count, Cownt, v. [ME. counte(n, AF. counter, OF. conter, cunter. Cf. Cont, Cunt, and Compt.]

1. tr. To count up; to reckon; to recount. c1420 Wynt. ix. 3004.
All he set bot til a price, Countyt [v.r. cowntyt] in his marchandice 1456 Hay I. 7/13.
Becaus it war our lang and prolixt thing to count all Ib. 43/35.
He maid … mony bataillis … the quhilkis war our lang to count c1475 Wall. viii. 480.
Agayn a hundreth cowntyt was his sper a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxviii. 109.
Thay gane bot kingis for to be, Thair ryches as thair sellfis dois count a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1100.
The man may ablens tyne a stot That cannot count his kinsch

2. To reckon as being of value or worth (something). c1420 Wynt. vi. 2173.
I cownt noucht the tothire twa Wycys the walu off a stra Ib. viii. 3984.
All thare fays thai cowntyd noucht c1475 Wall. vii. 910.
Off courtlynes thai cownt him nocht a preyne a1500 Seven S. 962.
Ȝone devill … countis ȝow nocht, haf he ȝour crovne 1560 Rolland S. Sages 8004.
All thing bygane scho countis not worth ane threid a1568 Scott xx. 56.
Thy wo and grit wanrest And cair scho countis nocht

b. To reckon or regard as (something). a1400 Leg. S. xxx. 838.
Haly is he cowntit to-day 1456 Hay II. 90/19.
His peple sall … count him bot a condampnyt man a1585 Maitl. Q. xli. 115.
Bot then am I countit ane betie bum

3. intr. To use counting or reckoning; to make up or require an account. c1420 Wynt. i. 295.
Thai oysyd to cownt … fra the warldys begynnyng Ib. vii. 1950.
Off hyr lynage for to cownt a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1284.
With thé he wil nocht gang ane futt, Befoir this King for thé to count or mutt 1533 Gau 97/22.
Be to vs marciful … and count notht scherplie vith vs a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 648.
He that countis without his oist, Oft tymes he countis twyse

b. To reck, care. 1535 Stewart 30185.
He countit nocht quhair riches wes to wyn c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 482.
Talbart … of our squyer lytill countit