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 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Dew, a. Also: dewe, deu(e, due. [ME. dew, dewe (14th c.), deu, due, OF. deu, du.]

1. ? Acting as one ought; worthy. c1450-2 Howlat 575.
The landis of Lawdir and lordschipis sere With dynt of his derf swerd the Dowglas so dewe Wan wichtly of weir

2. Naturally required by conditions or circumstances; fitting, appropriate, proper.(1) c1460 Wisd. Sol. 784 (in dew tyme). 1560 Seven S. 579 (at dew time). 1514 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 146 (in his dew place). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6468 (ane gude dew time). 1632 Peebles B. Rec. 372 (cuming in dew tyme).(2) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1666 (in number, wecht, and dew proportioun). 1500 Rep. Elphinstone Mun. 189/2 (infeftment in dew forme). 1501 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 638 (in competent dew forme). 1513 Doug. i. vii. 67 (in dew proportioun). 1529 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 395 (an charter in dew and auctentyk form). 1559 Montgomery Mem. 155 (in the maist dew and ampill forme). 1622-6 Bisset I. 21/5 (in dew methoid). 1665 Montgomery Mem. 328 (in deue forme).(3) 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 87 (that thai put the samyn to dew executioun). 1565 Reg. Privy C. I. 336 (will provyde for thair dew punisement). c1568 Lauder Minor P. iii. 18 (dew admonitioun for thair vice). Ib. 22 (dew chaistisment for thair sin). 1570 Leslie 185 (just and dew punishment). 1578 Glenartney MS. Doc. (to putt our lettres to dew execution). 1622-6 Bisset I. 84/4 (they requyre largare tyme to thar dew correctioun).(4) 1514 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 147 (his followare to have the dew cours). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1407 (lat ilk ane vse thair dew defence). 1562-3 Winȝet I. 23/18 (dewe charge and office off the prince). 1567 G. Ball 80 (honour … , as it is dew). a1578 Pitsc. I. 4/13 (for laik of dew studdie). a1585 Maitl. Q. l. 5 (of dew desert). 1582 Conv. Burghs I. 147 (the iust and dew paymentt of oure gudes). 1596 Dalr. II. 377/7 (al ceremonies due and decent). 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 923 (the dew custom of his goodes). c1650 Spalding I. 238 (to give him dew aduertesment). 1664 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 208 (without dew tryall).

b. Adapted for the purpose. 1596 Dalr. II. 251/29.
He suld a dew [L. justum] armie prepair against ws

3. Naturally falling to be rendered or shown.1474 Peebles B. Rec. 172 (makand dew seruis bath at awlter and in quere). c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 77 (inclynand with all dew reuerens). 1551 Black Bk. Taymouth 191 (the dew dewty that ane cheif aucht to haif). 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii. 158 (thay haue not dew seruice). a1578 Pitsc. I. 109/2 (fallin from thair dew obedience). a1585 Maitl. Q. lxviii. 56 (to put thy name … in dew rememberance). 1603 Philotus clxx (dew regaird gude acceptiones gaines). 1615 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 422 (with all dew reverence and humilitie). 1639 Melville Chart. 162 (casting offe the yock of thair dew obedience).

4. Owing as a payment or debt.1634 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 23 (unlawis dew to be payit). 1638 Annandale Corr. 296 (eight thousand merks mor than canne be dew to him). c1650 Spalding II. 93 (craveing the customs to be dew to him).

5. Of persons: Owing, indebted. 1664 Melrose R. Rec. II. 92.
The defender denyed he was dew any thing to the persewer 1668 Irvine Mun. II. 227.
That non be admitted … quhill they satisfie the thesaurers of quhat they are deu for byganes