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

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

Forsuth(e, Forsuith, adv. phr. Also: foresuth, forswthe, -south; for(e)suyth(e, forsoith; forsutht, -swtht, -suitht. [e.m.E. forsothe, ME. for soðe, forsoþ, OE. forsóþ.] Of a truth, in truth, truly, assuredly. Usually parenthetic.(a) 1375 Barb. v. 507.
I herd syndry men oft say Forsuth that his ane E ves out Ib. xviii. 103.
Thai war sa few, forsuth to say, That ruschit with thair fais var thai 1385 Red. Bk. Grandtully I. 139*.
To the qwhylk askyng, I … forsuth answeryt that suthfastly yha 14.. Acts I. 30/2.
Gif forsuth thai mak … a change of land amang thaim selff c1420 Wynt. vi. 2046.
Makbeth, luke wp and se, Wndyr yhon sayle forsuth is he c1450-2 Howlat 603.
It semyt that thai sib war, forsuth I assure 1474 Fam. Innes 82.
We forsuthe … aganis al dedly sal leli and trewly defend 1513 Doug. vii. vi. 59 (Sm.).
Abufe myssuyr forsuth thai chaistyit war 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proc. 24.
So ȝe keip tryist, forswth we sall nocht felȝie(b) c1420 Wynt. i. 790 (C).
Ane other best … That Monyceros forsuythe thai call 1499 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 625.
And I for suythe … bindis & oblisis me … to warand the tak [etc.] 1513 Doug. i. viii. 46.
I sall forsuyth exploratouris send to spy c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 563.
Of ȝow forsuith nathing I craue a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxxx. 118.
My sweit, forsuythe I sall For euer luif ȝou 1585 Douglas Bequest (Reg. H.) 4th March.
We forsuith … sall not absent ws fra the ressait of the said sowme(c) 1422 Stirlings of Keir 208.
And I for sutht, the for said Gorge, … al our landis … sall warand 1460 Peebles B. Rec. 135.
We forswtht the forsayd balyeis … assygnayis al and syndry our forsayd landis 1539 Reg. Cupar A. II. 6.
And we forsutht … sall warrand, acquiet and defend, as law will 1594 Douglas Bequest (Reg. H.) 23 Jan.
And I forsuitht … sall warrand acquyet and defend this present tak … aganis all deidlye

b. Used to introduce a statement. c1420 Wynt. vi. 2123.
Forsuth, he sayde, thare wes nane than Swa lycherows a lyvand man As he was a1500 Rauf C. 71.
Forsuith thou suld be wel-cum to pas hame with me a1500 Bk. Chess. 90.
Forsuth he goith mys As in this writ sall beir to witnes 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 35.
Forsuyth, … I sal, quhat euer betyde, Grant to thé all the verite 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5439.
Forsuith ane King suld wirk nathing but auisement a1585 Maitl. Q. xlviii. 17.
No, no, forsuith wes neuer none [etc.] 1647 Bk. Pasquils 152.
Forsuith, James, that's a pretty dance