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: 1456-1605
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Blunt, Blont, a. [ME. (first in Ormulum) blunt, blont, of obscure origin.]
1. Dull, slow-witted, stupid.1456 Hay II. 155/28.
That he be nocht blont and bestely to seke his wit at otheris c1460 Thewis Wysmen 455.
Thocht thai be blunt of eloquens 1535 Stewart 12308.
Quhen the Romanis saw him … So blunt ane berne, so baisit and so blait 1535 Ib. 22880.
To be so blunt throw beistlie basitnes a1500 Peblis to Play 116.
Thow art our blunt To tak sic office vpoun hand c1550 Rolland Court of Venus Prol. 55.
Soft, blait, and blunt c1568 Lauder Minor P. lv. 11.
Ane blunt bubo, that neuer had bene at scule a1605 Montg. Son. xlvii. 10.
Vhy haif I not … als blunt a braine
2. Lacking in force or point.a1500 Henr. Fab. 969.
Thy defence is … blunt and blait 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 28.
My blunt endyte 1513 Ib. 314.
Thocht myne be blunt, hys text is maist perfyte
3. Of weapons, etc. Not sharp.1504 Treasurer's Accounts II. 466.
Item, for xij blont boltis, iij s. 1513 Doug. v. iii. 102.
Sewquhand salt fame with thar kelis blont 1513 Ib. vii. viii. 109.
With … blunt steyngis of the byrsillit tre 1535 Stewart 11938.
Thair waponis … So blunt thai war on basnet wald nocht byte 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 176.
Ane scherp rak for ledder, ane blunt rak 1562-3 Winȝet I. 58/25.
All his blunt boultis and pithles artelȝerie c1590 J. Stewart 39/332.
His bruisit bit vas vorne so rustie blont
4. Bare or barren of something. (Cf. Blout a.)1513 Doug. xiii. vi. 227 (R).
The large planis … Stude blunt of beistis and of treis bare
