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.
Argh, Arch, a. Also: arche, arch(i)t; airch, airche. [Northern ME. argh, ONhb. arᵹ (WS. earᵹ, earh), ON. argr, cowardly, faint-hearted.] Timid, reluctant, backward, unwilling.c1420 Wynt. ii. 1447 (W).
Sen faynt be kynd all wemen wes, And wounder argh for to se blud a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 477.
Be na thing argh, tak ferily on hand 1513 Doug. xi. vii. 119.
Thai wait … in quhat estait Our materis standis; bot thai ar arch to schaw 1535 Stewart 39207.
This King Duncan so arch a man wes he Ib. 59784.
Quhilis ouir arch, and quhilis ouir rigorus 1561 Misc. Bann. C. I. 50.
I trust thay suld nocht be so arche 1570 Calderwood II. 525.
They sould not be so airch to putt remedie to their inconveniences 1590 Ib. V. 85.
We are airche to meddle deepelie therein
