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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.

Convert, Convart, v. Also: conwert. [ME. convert (c 1300), e.m.E. convart(e, OF. convertir, L. convertere. The p.p. is occas. without ending.]

1. tr. To convert by religious influence. a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 115.
Als God gaff thame sic mycht … Quhen he conuertit ony of thai c1420 Wynt. v. 5469.
Swa he conwertyd Ingland That blynd in hethynes wes lyand Ib. 5505. 1456 Hay I. 11/18. Ib. 17/30.
Sanct Peter … send his disciplis and convertit realmes and regionis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2547.
Christis floke … Conuertit fragyll faltouris … Be Goddis worde 1567 G. Ball. 56.
Lord, lat thy hand help in all land That thy elect conuertit be Thy word to leir

b. To change to another line of conduct. c1550 Rolland C. Venus i. 180.
He was sum time ane iust lufar: Bot at that time I traist he was conuart

2. intr. To change to a new faith or better life. Also refl. c1420 Wynt. v. 336.
That ilke yhere alsua Saul Convertyd, and was callyd Paule 1456 Hay I. 189/24.
All sall convert till oure faith a1500 Rauf C. 891.
It is my will thow conuert, … And haue him halely in hart That maker is of all Ib. 921.
Wald thow conuert thé in hy, … Thow suld haue mair profite 1567 G. Ball. 27.
In age for till amend my mis, And from my vitious lyfe conuert [: hart]

b. refl. To bring oneself to do something. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 975.
Mercy to ask he couth nocht him conwert

3. tr. To turn, change, transform, or alter. Const. in or into. 1456 Hay II. 141/9.
Syk wynis … convertis the metis soner in … blude and flesche na othir wyne dois Ib. 144/17.
All the remaynand of the day thou suld convert in joy and solace c1550 Rolland C. Venus ii. 150.
God gif it war my fortoun than … I war conuert into the may Echo c1552 Lynd. Mon. 296.
Quhare thov convertit cauld watter in wyne 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9691.
It was conuert in vther sair seiknes Ib. 9881. 1563 Reg. Cupar A. II. 278.
Summa of the hail charge of siluer and victualis conuerted in siluer

b. To apply to a certain purpose. 1440 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. 10.
For sevyn score of markis … thankfully payd and in myn vse conuertid 1622-6 Bisset I. 94/12.
Converting and to convert the fruittis, rentis, and emolumentis, for the use … of the foirsaid benefices 1607 Aboyne Rec. 187.
Ane certain sowm … partlye convertit in my necesser adois

4. a. tr. To direct, address. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 11/3.
To convert oure prayeris, be imitacioun of poetis, to implore … the favour of goddis Ib. II. 72/16. 1567 G. Ball. 47.
His lufe to me he did conuert, From the maist deipest of his hart

b. intr. To turn and flow. c1590 Fowler I. 56/224.
The blwid … quiklye from his vanes dois rin and in his cheikis convertis

5. tr. To reverse, annul. c1550 Rolland C. Venus ii. 5.
He him bethocht. … to get sum aduocat expert, Wald Venus court retreit, cast, or conuert Ib. 730.