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: 1444, 1500-1613
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Complain, Complane, v. Also: complaine, -playne. [e.m.E. complain(e, ME. complayn(e, -.pleyne (Chaucer), OF. complaign-, stem of complaindre. Cf. Complene and Complenȝe.]
1. intr. To complain, make a complaint.(a) 1444 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 10.
That Marioune of Croudane has complaynit to the lorde of Erole that he had al the wite c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxi. 69.
This mane … couthe … Bot humblie into ballat wyse complaine c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche i.
Allace, quhome to suld I complayne In my extreme necessitie? 1558-66 Knox II. 461.
That ye wryte and complayne upoun me, that I teich … sik doctrine as offendis you a1578 Pitsc. II. 63/11.
That the peopill micht nocht complaine of his wrongfull condempnatioun 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Culrach.
Gif the partie complainand gettis na reason in that court(b) 1558 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 146.
Every man … suld complane to the hiear poweris c1500-c1512 Dunb. lix. 1 (M).
Schir I complane off iniuris c1500-c1512 Ib. lx. 1. a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxxviii. 2.
The piteous plaint of heavie hairt Complaning but releif c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1483.
To the Regent he did complane 1613 St. A. Baxter Bks. 79.
The pairte complanit vpon
2. tr. To lament.c1500-c1512 Dunb. viii. 2.
Thow may complain with sighis lamentable The death of Bernard Stewart
