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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Rathe,) Rath, Raith, adv. Also: rayth, reth; Roth. [Early ME reðe (c1175), raþe, r(e)aðe, ME and e.m.E. rathe (Layamon), rath (Cursor M.), OE hraðe, hræðe, hreðe.] Immediately, straightway, at once, promptly, rapidly or quickly.Only in verse, chiefly early, freq. in rhyming position.(a) 1375 Barb. iv 285.
Bot his men horsit him weill rath Ib. v 417.
Rath [E. raith] Ib. viii 322.
Stekit men … Till red blude ran of voundis rath [: bath] a1400 Leg. S. i 85.
Thane gert he rath Sanct Petire bynde Ib. iii 50.
He in Antioche alsone Passit richt rath Ib. 210.
The iuge, that than wes wrath, Gert bynd the ȝounge man rath Ib. xvi 665, etc. ?1438 Alex. ii 8570.
To the erd he rushit rath [: baith] a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1314.
I myght reif thame with right, rath to my handis(b) 1375 Barb. iv 45.
The queyn, & als Dame Mariory … ar ridin raith … Throw Ros ?1438 Alex. ii 1690. Ib. 2569.
In depe hart that siched raith With party thochtis ioyfull and wraith Ib. 9348.
Thare hapned oft quhare he was raith Scheildis be hewin and helmes baith c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2122.
In hand he tuke a gret sper raith [: scaith] c1450-2 Howlat 200 (A).
Thai mak residence raith [B. reth] and airly will rys Ib. 475.
He … Come to the haly graf … With all the relykis raith [B. rath] … Gart hallowe the hart a1500 Rauf C. 549.
Gif thow raik out of my renk, full raith sall thow rew Ib. 608.
He met ane porter swayne Cummand raith him agayne a1500 Henr. Fab. 1001 (Bann.).
Our ron and ryce thai ran togidder rayth [: bayth] Ib. 2248. a1500 Seven S. 38.
Than rais the secound sage full raith 1513 Doug. i iv 89.
Hys feris has this praye ressauyt raith [: graith] a1568 Scott x 17.
For it may fortoun raith To do hir body skaith