A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Ȝoke-fellow,) n. Also: yok-fallow, yok(e)-fellow, yock(e)-fellow, yoakefellow. [e.m.E. yockfelowe (Tyndale), yokfelow (1579), yoke-fellow (Shakespeare), yoak-fellow (1670).] A person associated with another in some way. a. A colleague, partner or associate in an occupation, a relative. Also attrib. b. A marriage partner, a husband or wife.a. 1600-1610 Melvill 7.
The Lord steirit upe a young man … as a fathfull yok-fellow to undertak the halff of my burding 1607 9th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 195/2.
They sal haif no parceyneris bot suche as wilbe yockefellowis in all thair burdeyns and debursementis 1638 Baillie I 61.
Many of the Bishops being the yoke fellows with them in burden of the state 1649 Carstairs Lett. 58.
Dear Sister … Wher is ther sweeter fellowship … and wher such a yoke fellow? 1700 Minnigaff Par. Rec. 22.
The laird Murdoch, whom they [sc. the session] earnestly desired as an assistant and yokfellow in the office of an elderattrib. 1586 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 455.
His yokfallow lawborer and he wes forceit … to … seik refuge in ane forayne realmeb. 1652 Argyll Synod II 2.
The synod, fearing great abuses in the mater of mariage of widdowes who pretend their yokefellowes presently to have deceased out of the kingdom 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 674.
I have taken this occasion … to salute yow, being informed that the Lord heth again layd His hand on your worthie wyfe … It will be a considerable addition to your affliction … to be … depryved of the fellowship of so precious a yockfellow 1668 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 671.
I doe by this line salute … your selfe and your worthie yockfellow and companion in tribulatione … whom He is graciouslie pleased to keepe yet togither when He heth made manay sad separations and divorses betuixt other husbands and wives a1686 Turner Mem. 119.
William Bruce … was likewise a passenger; at which I was glad, knouing he wold doe my wife all the good offices he could … with a very sad heart I tooke my leave of her; finding then how … touching a sorrow it is, to part with a beloved yoakefellow
