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.
Constrene, Constreyn, v. [Northern ME. constrene, variant of constrey ne Constrain v. Cf. complene, chene, fene, etc.]
1. tr. (and absol.). To constrain, compel, force.1456 Hay I. 165/31.
Bot gif necessitee constreynit to geve bataill in haly day Ib. 195/18; etc.
Thai may nocht be constreynit to pas in weris c1500-c1512 Dunb. xl. 28.
They drank twa quartis, … Of drowth sic exces did thame constrene 1513 Doug. i. viii. 123.
Hard myschans … Constrenys me sik mastry for to schaw Ib. vi. v. 174; etc.
The pepil adiacent, By wondir takynnys … Constrenyt, sal bygrave thy banys 1533 Bell. Livy I. 198/19.
Thai war constrenit to sevir on athir side but ony victory 1541 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 106.
Thair is pairt of oure burgh … [that] coact and constrene … merchanttis to pas … to havynnis and townys quhair thay like
2. To restrain, restrict.1513 Doug. i. Prol. 197.
In similitudes … The suythfast materis to hyde and to constreyn Ib. ii. 8; etc.
Quhar Eolus … the wyndis … In bandis hard schet in presoun constrenys
