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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.

Rome, n. Also: Rom, Roym; Rowme, Rwme; Romme. [ME and e.m.E. Rome, e.m.E. also Roome (1542), OE Rom, OF Rome, L. Rōma, the name of the city.]

1. The city or state of Rome; the Roman Empire. Also, in allusive use.attrib. and possess. with cietie, and possess. with toun.(1) 1375 Barb. i 542.
Julius Cesar … Off Rome wes fryst maid emperour c1420 Wynt. iii 690.
Syne off Rome the governyng Tiberius tuke Ib. v 3534 (C).
The Saxonys … Agane Rome rasse withe mekyl mycht 1456 Hay I 69/27.
The ferde grete realme was Rome Id. Alex. (S.T.S.) 2573.
Bot Rome was nocht than in gret maiestie c1460 Regim. Princ. 141 (Fairf.).
Quhen Rome was reget be wysmen cenatouris In iustice [etc.] a1500 Henr. Fab. 1371.
My [sc. Æsop's] natall land is Rome c1515 Asl. MS I 189/28.
Julius Cesare [etc.] … empriouris of Rome 1497 Halyb. 144, etc.
Send to Rom to Thomas Halkarstoun in the bank off Cornell' Altanitis 30 ducatis 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1687.
Scipio … to Rome conquerit … Spane c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 331.
I wald haif ridden him to Rome with raip in his heid 1549 Compl. 21/13.
Quhat sal be said of the riche monarche of Rome quhilk dantit ande subdeuit al the varld c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4314.
The gret Empriour of Rome(b) a1400 Leg. S. ii 161.
The folk of Rowme c1420 Wynt. v 471.
And to Rowme that tribwte pay 1513 Doug. vii xii 7.
Eftir that Rowme was gevin … To the Sabynys, as thar proper cite(c) c1420 Wynt. vi 272.
The cyte off gret Rwme(d) 1513 Doug. v x 98.
And mychty Roym syne efter mony a day Syk oys ressavyt hes(2) 1375 Barb. xix 474.
He … is worthi To gouerne the empyr off Rome 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1492.
Surmounting far in brichtnes … The coistlie subtell spectakill of Romeattrib. and possess. a1500 Seven S. 19.
In Rome cite than was thar sevyne Sagis 1528 Lynd. Dreme 1099.
Tarquyne … was … baneist Romes toun 1560 Rolland Seven S. 386.
I think not best to Romes toun that we ryde Ib. 5114.
Romes cietie

b. The people of ancient Rome, collectively. 1375 Barb. xx 549.
Certis Rome is welle off mycht … To wencus thar fayis

2. The city of Rome, viewed as the papal see, and as the administrative centre of the mediaeval Catholic Church.Also, a place of pilgrimage.(1) c1420 Wynt. v 4765.
This pape off Rome, Vigilius 1498 Reg. Privy S. I 27/1.
A letter … of licence to pas to Rome in pilgrimage 1531 Treas. Acc. V 434.
The tyme of his first passage to Rome in ambassatry 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2848 (Ch.).
Mekil of our money gais to Rome Ib. 2862.
Ane preist will run to Rome in pilgramage 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 77.
Alson as ony word cummis agan fra Rome [etc.] 1561 Treas. Acc. XI 71.
That nane … tak upoun hand to … send for commissioun to Rome [etc.] 1567 Acts III 14/1.
That the Bischop of Rome, callit the Paip, haue na iurisdictioun nor authoritie within this realme(b) 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 15.
The … Antichriste of Romme(2) c1420 Wynt. vi 459.
The kyrk off Rome 1456 Hay I 31/14. 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 145. 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 14.
The kirk of Romme(3) c1420 Wynt. vii 2206.
Jhon off Salerne … than legate come In Scotland fra the court off Rome Ib. 2313. 1497 Acta Conc. II 87.
He has … past to the court of Rome without our soverane lordis licence 1550 Corr. M. Lorraine 323.
Maister Alexander Gordoun … is ellis depertit of the court of Rome(4) 1456 Hay I 22/27.
Ane callit Stevyn tuke the sege of Rome a1500 Colk. Sow ii 208.
Nor win the sege of Rome 1596 Dalr. II 471/22.
The true fald and bosume of the true kirk commounlie quhilk tha cal the sait of Rome

b. The Roman Catholic Church.After the Reformation, intended to convey odium. c1500 Rowll Cursing 6 (M).
And now of Rome that beiris the rode Vnder the Lord to lous and bind 1570 Sat. P. xiii 67.
The reuthles rage of Rome Ib. xv 98.
Ye lords … Suppois ȝe haue left Rome 1558-66 Knox I 109.
Thare Haly Mother the Kirk (so terme thei that harlott of Babilon, Rome) 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xii.
Sen the source of this superstition is from the old heathen (the which in running through Rome is made the more muddy)

c. attrib. with us = (the Latin) rite.See also Rome-raker and Rome-rinnar. 1502–3 Treas. Acc. II 359.]
[Missale et Breviarium de usu Rome 1503–4 Ib. 423.
For ane portuous of Rome us to the king