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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.

Grave, Graif, a. [e.m.E. (1541) and F. grave, L. gravis.]

1. Of weight or importance, serious. In the phr. grave mater(is. 1513 Doug. Postscript 16.
Syth syk twa monethis … [I] Wrait neuir a word, … For grave materis and gret solicitud 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 176.
A man to be vsit [in] hiear and gravar materis 1533 Boece v. v. 174 b, Ib. vi. ii. 187 b, etc.
Trebellius … vsing the avise of Britan nobillis in graif materis

2. Of persons, their character, behaviour, aspect, etc.: Grave, dignified, sober. Also comb. grave-like.(a) 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 145.
For til perform the poet grave and sad Ib. xiii. Prol. 130.
The grave study I have so long forleit a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxx. 68.
All grave purpois is trist and but confort a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxxviii. 50.
Gif ȝe be grave ȝour gravite is chekit 1582 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 565.
It is requisite that … he be … grave and digest in his behaviour(b) 1533 Boece xvi. vii. 622 b.
Graif men of prudence and wisdome 1549 Compl. 175/27.
Cald, graif and pacient in his bissynes a1568 Scott iii. 43.
Be richt demvre & graif quhan ȝe ask grace 1570 Sat. P. x. 23.
Twa graif lyke persounis of greit maiestie 1600 Crim. Trials II. 149.
Sumquhat daschit be his Maiesteis graif and constant speicheis and ressonis

3. Of dress: Sober, plain, sombre. 1575 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 335.
That thair haill habite be of grave collour 1609 Acts IV. 435/2.
That euerie preacheour of Goddis word shall … wear blak, grave and comelie apparrell

4. a. Weighty, heavy. 1513 Doug. v. viii. 54.
Hys grave body … with huge weght and sayr, Ruschyt flatlyngis to the grond

b. In the phrases grave with child, in age.(1) 1533 Boece iii. xvi. 114 b.
Genissa the Romane lady graif with chylde Ib. ix. iii. 290 b, Ib. xviii. 336.
Vter, apprehending the lady, … made hir grave with child(2) Ib. iii. vi. 99b.
King Eder … , grave in age and hevily twichit with infirmite, … deceissit Ib. xx. 120 b.
Ane man … expert in weris, grave in age [L. gravis ætate], … suld in Albion be send