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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.

Company, n. Also: compané, -panie, -panye, compainé, -painie. [ME. company, -panie, -painie (c 1250), etc., AF. compaynie, OF. compaignie. See also Cumpany.]

1. A number of persons assembled together or attendant on a leader. 1385 Rotuli Sc. II. 73/2.
Gif any company stellis any gudes 1456 Hay I. 112/18.
Ane othir ordinance was callit a company, the quhilk suld have twenty thousand … fut men Ib. 143/25.
He makis accordaunce with a company, for certayne price, for all the ȝere a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 491.
Seing that companie, thai come all with ane steuin c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxi. 13.
This seimes to me ane guidlie companie 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10111.
I sall ordane for ȝow … ane honest companie a1578 Pitsc. I. 112/11.
Witht him ane schoissin compane of ȝoung abill men 1615 Highland P. III. 218.
Thair cam a compane of men

b. With possessive pronouns (or noun). c1420 Wynt. iv. 807.
Leonyde wytht his company Come on the Perseys suddanly Ib. iv. 936.
Thare slayne wes that lady And nere all hale hyr company 1456 Hay I. 181/26.
A symple capitane suld have na power to geve sauf condyt but for his awin propre company 15.. Clar. ii. 1198.
Of Palexis went hame the companie c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 263.
He wes sone put in ordinance. Richt so was all his companie, That on him waitit continuallie c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 439.
Pharao, … wes drownit in the seye, With all his horsis and crewell companye 1596 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. 873.
The Queens Majesties ministrie to be reformit; and tuiching her companie, her … night walking [etc.]

c. In his (etc.) company, along with one. c1420 Wynt. ii. 289.
He haid in tyll hys company A folk than callyd Parakasy 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8066.
Fourtene men in thair companie went

d. Without article.1405 James of Douglas Letter to Henry IV in Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Yhour men of Inglande hes rydyne in Scotlande wyth gret company ?1438 Alex. ii. 2371.
Sueit thocht, but company, Quhen ȝe think on hir anerly a1500 Bk. Chess 30.
Sum lykis wele to heir of menstraly, And sum the talk of honest company 1559 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 272.
The first [letter] … schawed that ȝe are content with the place, tyme, and company c1550 Rolland C. Venus Prol. 248.
I allane was left but companie 1596 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. 873.
His Majestie wald labour to have sick companie about him as himselfe

2. Association with others; companionship, society. In company, together. 1456 Hay I. 59/7.
Julius Cesar fled him allane with few in company Ib. 192/27.
To bide with him and kepe him, and to bere him company a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 75.
He … hir excludit fra his companie a1500 Rauf C. 223.
The king held gude countenance and company bair a1497, 15.. Gray MS. vi. 39.
Kingis & knichtis in company Vncountit curiously vp I kest c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 190.
Dame Hamelynes scho tuke in company 1560 Rolland Seven S. 393.
Fra greit men get knawledge quhat he be, Thay will couet daylie his companie c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 595.
Paule … dois forbid that we … Suld bear the couatus ony companie 1589 Conv. Burghs I. 305.
That na maner of pirattis … be furneist in ony maner of viuers … , as also that nane beir or hant thair compainie