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: 1386-1400, 1456-1599
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Comprehend, v. Also: -hende. [ME. (14th c.), OF. comprehender, L. comprehendere.]
1. tr. To include. a1400 Legends of the Saints Prol. 149.
To the apostulis now will I, In ordour set, as I find it Comprehendit in haly wryt 1386 Rotuli Sc. II. 85/2.
The whilke foreste and enhabitans therein sal be comprehendit in the trewes forsaid 1456 Hay II. 158/30.
And is the four elementis all in the man comprehendit c1500-c1512 Dunb. ix. 58.
The Fader that all thingis wrocht and comprehendit 1523 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 213.
The Lordis of Counsale … also decernis the pris schip and gudis … to be comprehendit in the said first decrete 1558 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 102.
Ane body is made and jonit togidder, comprehending divers membris 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 50.
Gif the erll of Huntleis hail assistaris sould be comprehendit in ane remissioun with him 1599 Acts IV. 181/1.
That this act sall nawyis comprehend cvnnyng, wodcokis, pleuirs nor wilgus
2. To grasp with the mind; to understand. 1456 Hay II. 141/19.
Mony othir … thingis … that mannis witt may nocht comprehende to count c1460 Thewis Wysmen 169.
The faith of God and law of man … Na wyt may comprehend al haill 1490 Irland Mir. I. 8/9.
Perchaunce lawde pepil comprehendis nocht the profound verite tharof 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 88.
Mycht thou comprehend be thyn engyne The maist excellent maieste dyvyne c1552 Lynd. Mon. 177.
Quhose bewte brycht I culd not comprehend a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxxiii. 46.
What mortall man is he … that can thy merceis comprehend?
3. To get or lay hold of; to seize, apprehend. 1491 Lennox Mun. 143.
All other persons belangand bath the partis … sall be put in hartly tendernes and frendschip als sone as thai may gudly be comprehendyt 1533 Bell. Livy II. 74/4.
He, enforceing him to eschape … , was comprehendit be strang hand 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 2594.
With him the watche vnto the Prouest gais, Schawing … How on the nicht thay did him comprehend 1564–5 Treasurer's Accounts XI. 342.
Ane tow … quhilk was comprehendit fra Capitane Hepburne, quha had gottin the same in piracie a1578 Pitsc. I. 319/11.
The king cryit … to saif the Earle of Lennox, gif he could be comprehendit allyue 1596 Dalr. II. 178/10.
Tha post … to Striuiling, of that mynd to comprehend the Chanceller
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"Comprehend v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/comprehend>
