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: 1420, 1549-1610
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Confer, v. [e.m.E. conferre (1528), L. conferre.]
1. intr. To hold conference; to talk. c1420 Wynt. vii. 885.
The kyng … And lordys … Conferryd a qwhill off syndry thyngys 1562-3 Winȝet I. 54/34.
Efter that I had conferrit with sum weill leirnit Catholikis 1600-1610 Melvill 317.
The King, taking me asyde, … conferrit with me at lainthe
2. tr. To compare; to collate. 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 28.
Quhou the actor conferris the passagis … of Ysaye vitht the afflictione of Scotland 1549 Ib. 151/16.
This exempil maye be conferrit to tua brethir 1551 Hamilton Catechism 46.
Be trew … conferring ane place of the scripture til ane uthir 1568 Pref. Lyndesay 10.
Gif ony wil confer this editioun with thame that hes preceid it 1600-1610 Melvill 358.
Mr. Jhone Davidsone … conferrit the sam with the beginning that he had sein
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