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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.

Curt, n. Also: cvrt, cwrt(t, cuirt. [Early ME. curt, kurt, OF. curt, later court Court n.]

1. The court of a king or other ruler. Cf. Court n. 1, 2. c1420 Wynt. vi. 841.
Off hys awyne curt suddanly Agayne hym ras a cumpany Ib. 1989.
Owt of the curt he past and ran a1447 Bower II. 376.
The unlatit woman … Gangis coitand in the curt, hornit like a gait 1513 Doug. vii. iii. 55.
In this tempill held thai curt on raw 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 375.
I durst declare the myserabilitie Of divers Curtis, was nocht my tyme bene schort 1600-1610 Melvill 121.
Efter he fand nocht Curt as he luiked for, he drest him to the Ministers 1636 Fam. Innes 225.
I goe to Turryne to the Deuk Savoys curt

2. A court of justice or administration. Cf. Court n. 3. a1400 Leg. S. xl. 968.
The scherefe … gert the mysdoaris bryng To curt 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 410/2.
Robert Louranson … demstare of oure lord the kingis curt 1406 (1427) Reg. Great S. 17/2.
To be had the said landis to the said Jon and his ayris with curtis and the ischeis of them 1452 Melville Chart. 36.
Than the saide Scher Andro removit out of curt: the curt avisit as than, … for waiknes of curt the forsaide decret wes delayit and resplatit 1460 Peebles B. Rec. 138.
The cwrt fand Sir Jhon Hyltson dyssabeyeris [sic] of bayleis and of nychburis 1475 Prestwick B. Rec. 25.
The heltir of a suerd, arestit to the said curt witht Iok Cristole as the first warand 1492 Dunferm. B. Rec. 38.
The cwrt haldyn in the tolbutht … the achteyn day of September … , the quhilk day the swtis callit, the cwrt affermfit [etc.] 1508 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 333.
Giffand … to my said bailye my full pouar curtis in the said land and tak to fens, begyne, and hald 1536 Carnwath Baron Ct. 95 b.
The inqueist … come in curt agane & deliuerit all in a woce [etc.] 1556 Inverness B. Rec. I. .
The bowrow curt … callit, the curt lauchfullie fensit and effermit as wse is 1596 Highland P. I. 185.
To … assist the uther foure contractors on the uther part in cuirt be law 1607 Urie Baron Ct. .
The curt of the barronney of Wrie, haldene at Cowie Ib.
The lard … apprewis the actis of curt