A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1490-1500, 1559-1661
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A B C, n. [ME. (13–14th c.), also written abece, etc.]
1. The alphabet, or the beginning of this; the elements of a subject.c1420 Wynt. vi. 236.
Sa mony Abbays fowndyde he, As lettyrys ar in the A, B, C [Cott. Abbece] a1500 Henr. Robin & M. 18.
At luvis lair gife thow will leir, Tak thair ane a b c 1490 Irland Mir. I. 14/13.
That this werk be callit the meroure of wisdome or A. B. C. of cristianite 1559 Reg. Privy S. MS. XXX. 5 b.
Ane A B C for Scottis to reid the Frenche toung a1568 Mersar Bannatyne MS 213 a/2.
Ȝe man begin and leir this A B C 1600-1610 Melvill 30.
Our Regent … teatched us the A, B, C, of the Greik
b. Attrib. in A B C brod (= board).1585 Edinburgh Testaments XV. 26 b.
Tua dossane of A. B. C. broddis
2. An alphabetical list or table.1597 Acts IV. 136/1.
To set doun the A.B.C. of the custome of all clayth and vtheris wairis 1612 Bk. Rates 280.
Diuers waris … contenit in the A.B.C. of our customes 1661 Acts VII. 251/2.
Follous the A B C of Bullion
