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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1399-1571

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Argu, Argew, Argow, v. Also: argw, argue, argwe, argewe, argou, argo. See also Argun. [ME. arguen, argue (1303), OF. arguer, L. arguere.]

1. intr. To use argument; to debate, dispute.a1400 Legends of the Saints v. 178.
Agayne riches arguit he
c1450-2 Howlat 273.
Baith pro and contra, Thus argewe thai all
1456 Hay I. 228/23; etc.
In sik maner as I have argewit
a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 644.
He arguit with the Ischar ofter than anis
1495 Acts Lords of Council 382/1.
[He] arguit contrare the assedacion
1535 Stewart 2223.
Lat ȝow considder Quha hes the rycht, and argo weill thairfoir
1560 Rolland Seven Sages Prol. a iij 26.
Quhen tua arguis, … thair talk mon be contrarious

2. tr. To accuse (a person).a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvi. 334.
Iohnne … arguit hym sa faste Of Herodyades
c1420 Wynt. ii. 1130.
He arguyt thame on fel manere
c1420 Ib. v. 580.
Hys modyr oysyd for to … argwe hym wnkynd
a 1470 Liber Aberbr. 107.
His conscience arguit hym the contrare
1513 Doug. xi. vii. 41.
I will accus nor argu now na wight
1513 Ib. xiii. vi. 173.
Not ȝou.Will I argew of this maner offens

b. To call in question.c1420 Wynt. iv. 170.
The tothir argwe suld his dede
c1420 Ib. v. 4300.
Sum man may … argwe perchans hys cunnandnes
1456 Hay I. 66/24.
Gif thou, redar, will argue me thus

3. To debate, discuss (a matter).c1420 Wynt. vi. Prol. 29.
Quha this wald argwe wylfully, Lat hym be answeryd rycht lychtly
1456 Hay I. 153/25.
Suppos men wald argu this mater
1571 Satirical Poems xxv. 60.
I argoued all the cais

4. To allege by way of argument.1456 Hay I. 120/15.
He argewis first that nay, it suld nocht be
1490 Irland Mir. I. 72/13.
Gif thou argwis that the presciens of God is eternal
1513 Doug. i. Prol. 489.
Thocht sum wald … argue Vergill stude weill befor

1329

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