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.
Brutal(l, Brutell, a. and n. Also: brutale. [e.m.E. brutall (c 1510), F. brutal (16th c.).]
1. Brutal beste, an irrational animal. Also applied opprobriously to persons.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 56.
Thai in brutall beistis ar transformate Ib. 1392.
Under the figour of ane brutall [v.r. brutale] beist a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1171.
Blynd as brutale best irressonable 1549 Compl. 73/17.
The lau of nature … in brutal beystis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 6202.
The erth sall beir no plant, nor beist brutall 1567 G. Ball. 206.
The pareis preist, that brutall beist(b) 1525 Misc. Bann. C. III. 110.
I leife to Henre Sincler … all my brutell bestis that is in Oxvoo 1535 Stewart 14028; etc.
As brutell beist that followis appetyte c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4173.
God … hym transformit in ane beist brutell [: Daniell] c 1570 Sat. P. xliii. 37.
The brutell beist, ane barbour wolfe, vpbringis The first borne Romain
2. Brutish, sensual; unintelligent.1531 Bell. Boece I. p. lv.
Utheris that ar of mair brutall and vicius life 1549 Compl. 32/8.
Oure blynd affectione, quhilk makis vs sa brutal, that ve vait nocht [etc.] a1568 Scott xxxiv. 20.
Ȝe ma compair ȝour deide Vnto ane brutall kynd 1562-3 Winȝet I. 55/25.
Brutall irreligiositee Ib. II. 23/1.
A brutal fuilhardines
3. Proceeding from, made by, beasts.1549 Compl. 38/26.
There brutal sound did redond to the hie skyis
4. n. An animal.1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 6.
Euerie brutall is maist infectand … to thair awin kynd
