A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Bonté, Bontie, n. Also: bonty. [ME. bonté, bontie, OF. bonté, later form of bonted, Bonteth. Cf. Bounté and Bontay,n.] Goodness, excellence, bounty.(a) 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 331.
With euery bonte belangand a gentill wycht Ib. vii. i. 98; etc.
Hys bonte and his thewis meke 1531 Bell. Boece II. 503.
All new bonteis now appering amang ws ar cummyn only by thy industry 1602 Colville Parænese 116.
The more to scheu the bonte and beaute tharof(b) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlvi. 61 (B).
Sic grace off bewty, bontie, riches [etc.] a1570-86 Maitland M. Fol. xix. 2.
Excellant princes … peirles in bontie and bewtie a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 7.
Quhais bontie nevir dois abandoun thois That restis on him c1590 J. Stewart 205.
The bontie of ane mychtie spreit 1611-57 Mure Son. i. 3.
Secund to none in bonty, beutie, grace
