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.
Quotation dates: 1399-1400, 1475-1650
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Betak, v. Also: betack; p.t. betuk, betuke; p.p. betane, betain. [ME. betake(n, f. take v., in sense 1 perh. through influence of betæchen Beteche v.]
1. tr. To hand over, deliver, commit (to one). a1400 Legends of the Saints xxiv. 145.
Here to him I thé betak a1400 Ib. 305.
His fadyre … til a serwand gert hyme betak c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace v. 462.
He him betuk on to the Haly Gaist c1475 Ib. viii. 1663.
The harrold … Be tuk till him the kingis wryt off France a1500 Lancelot of the Laik 1724.
Syne til hyme gold and siluer thow betak 1625 Garden Kings 13.
To traittors, all his treasure he betaks [: macks]
2. To overtake, come upon, catch. c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i. 658.
Him this [= thus] betuke ane suddane extasie 1560 Id. Seven Sages 72/33.
Ȝe cum not in, … Quhill that the watche betak ȝow in the snair 1600-1610 Melvill 576.
The Lord Chancelleris awin house [was] … betain with the penalty pronunced by Iosua
b. To comprehend, understand. 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 61/4.
My Lord, he said, haue ȝe betane this taill?
3. ? To take care of, protect. 1650 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 439.
They say to ane by-word, God betack vs to
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"Betak v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/betak>
