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.
Ask, v. Also: alsk, alsc-. [ME. aske, asken, ONhb. ásciᵹa, OE. áscian, áxian. See also As v. and Ax v.]
1. tr. To question, make inquiries at (a person). With various constructions.1375 Barb. ii. 55 (thai askit his men eftir him); vii. 239 (scho askit hym quhat he wes). a1400 Leg. S. i. 81 (he askit Peter quharfor … ); xxxiii. 238 (it that I haf askit thé). 1385 Red Bk. Grandtully I. 139 * (John askyt me wes that the conclucyoun). c1420 Wynt. v. 2857 (he askyd hym gywe Petyre and Paule war goddys). a1500 Bk. Chess 498 (askit this child quhat … ).
b. Without personal object: To make inquiry how, why, etc.c1420 Wynt. iii. 274 (Sampsone askyd quhethir thare gat lay); v. 3874 (The byschape askyd quhy … ). 1456 Peebles B. Rec. 114 (Rob askyt hou thai suld depart). a1500 Seven S. 509 (he askit quhy … ).
c. With at (the person questioned).c1420 Wynt. v. 5293 (At Saynt Serffe the Devill askyd quhy … ). 1444 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 12 (askit and sperit at the merchandis giue … ). 1470 Wemyss Chart. 97 (I ask at you quhethire … ). 1568 Peebles B. Rec. 74 (askit at thair officiaris gif … ).
2. To make a request to (a person) for (a thing).1375 Barb. i. 253 (askyt hym hyr det). a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii. 528 (askand hyme mercy). c1420 Wynt. v. 2980 (we ask yhowe yhowre helpe). Hay I. 137/4 (may ask him payment); 137/5 (to ask him wagis); etc. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2483 (askand thame help). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 204/6 (askit him ane hundreth Florens).
b. With direct object or clause.1409 Exch. R. IV. p. ccxi (askand thaim to be submited to thaim). c1420 Wynt. iii. 87 (he askyt drynk off wattyr); v. 2390 (askyd delay); viii. 4357 (askyd to be multyre free); etc. 1456 Hay I. 57/29 (to ask deliverance of the toune); 207/29 (to ask law and resoun). a1500 Doug. K. Hart 612 (how suld ȝe ask ȝour fee?). 1548 Stirling B. Rec. 51 (Thomas askit actis). 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. 228 (without license askit and obtenit). 1576 St. A. Baxter Bks. 24 (askit act of court). 1638 9th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 194/2 (asket instrumentis). 1670 Urie Baron Ct. 91 (without leaw askit).
c. With at or of (the person).(1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1630 (thai at Grekes askit leif). c1420 Wynt. ii. 1168 (thai askyt at Josue suppoualle); v. 4955 (askyd at hym mercy); etc. 1456 Hay I. 47 (askit help at the king); 130 (ask leve at his fader); etc. a1500 Henr. III. 160 (ask grace at God). 1499 Dunferm. B. Rec. 101 (Jonsone … alscyt at thame that he mycht … ). 1551 Hamilton Cat. 21 (ask at God our dailé fude). a1570-86 Maitl F. xxii. 2 (we ask at thé us to defend).(2) 1443 Reg. Great S. 86/2 (askit of us fulfillinge of law). 1456 Hay I. 46 (a knycht askit justyng of a Romayn); 228 (how suld men ask faith of him); etc.
3. intr. or ellipt. To make a demand or request; to require.1375 Barb. xix. 199 (he abaid askand). 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 410/1 (as the law askys). 1458 Peebles B. Rec. 129 (as the curs of law askis). a1500 Bernardus 201 (as resone askys). a1500 Seven S. 2137 (thai askit awisit for to be). c1500-c1512 Dunb. xv. 13 (sum schames to ask). c1530-40 Stewart Maitl F. cxxviii. 14 (I askit of hir name). a1570-86 Arbuthnot Ib. xli. 134 (to chairge, to ask).
