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.
Circue, v. [Chiefly in p.t. and p.p. circuit, = ME. sircuit (c 1450), circuyd, -ed; F. circuir, L. circuīre, p.p. circuitum.]
1. tr. To surround; to encircle.c1515 Asl. MS. I. 162/21.
Ȝe sall understand that the occean circuis the erd 1549 Compl. 167/2.
He maid veyr on al the cuntreis that circuit his realme c1552 Lynd. Mon. 173.
Tyll he [sc. Phebus] had circuit all our hemispeir 1567 Reg. Privy C. I. 578.
Four hundrith personis … come to the said hous and circuit the same 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 105.
Ane cluid of mist circuit the craig about 1578 Reg. Privy C. III. 106.
The said Iohnne … , circuit the place about with armit men
2. In passive p.p.: Surrounded, encircled (with something).1584 Acts III. 369/1.
To break the groundis … vnbiggit, vnplantit, or circuit 1587 Morris Provosts of Methven (1875) 67.
That litill yaird, with treis and hedges circuit a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 369.
For the castell is … circuit with walter and strang fowseis 1622 Grant Chart. 425.
[Lands] circuite and invironit about with euill neychtbouris
