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.
Ardent, a. Also: ardant, erdant. [Late ME. ardent, L. ardent-, ardens; earlier ardant, ardaunt, F. ardant.] Burning; ardent. Chiefly fig.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii. 242 (mare ardent wes his wil hard martirdome til vndirga). 1456 Hay I. 12/7 (the mountayn ardent). c1450-2 Howlat 353 (ane egill ardent of air). 1490 Irland Mir. I. 43/1 (ardent desyre of eternall blis). a1500 Bk. Chess 502 (mor ardent was scho in hir thocht). 1513 Doug. i. viii. 128 (the huge ardent batalys); i. x. 59 (thi ardent fyre of fraudfull luf).(b) 1549 Compl. 16/9 (ane ardant fauoir touart this realme). Pitsc. I. 362/29 (ardant luffe). 1622-6 Bisset II. 189/21 (birnand zeall … erdant as any fyre).
