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.
Apayn, Apane, adv. and a. [OF. a peine in or with difficulty. Not in ME.]
1. By chance; possibly.1375 Barb. ix. 69.
For folk for-outen capitane, Bot thai the bettir be a-pane, Sall nocht be all so gud in deid Ib. 89.
Quhen thai the lord and his menȝe Seis fle, ȝit sall thai fle a-payn c1475 Wall. viii. 686.
To gyff battaill we sall it rew apayn a1500 Doug. K. Hart 192.
For and ȝe prik amang thir folk of pryde, A pane ȝe salbe restit be the way
b. adj. Possible, practicable.c1475 Wall. viii. 911.
The toun to sege thaim thocht it was to lang; And nocht a payn to wyn it be no slycht
2. Apayn of, on pain of; under the penalty of.c1420 Wynt. viii. 2152.
A payne of lyff and lyme bathe, he Bade the burges off Dunde At that assege that thai suld ly c1475 Wall. viii. 1264.
Commaund your men … Apayn off lyff thai wvrk nocht on sic wys Ib. xi. 1313.
I charge, apayn off loss off lywe, Nane be sa bauld ȝon tyrand for to schrywe
