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: 1399-1400, 1499-1568
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Couth, a. Also: cuth, cowth(e, kowth. [ME. cowthe, couth(e, cuth (e, OE. cúþ.] Known, familiar.a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvi. 250.
Schewing hyme be spek of mouth, & be his fyngire mad him cuth a1500 Henr. Fab. 1356.
I wes fane, Of that cowth word, and of his cumpanie a1500 Ib. 1368.
My wryting … Is couth and kend to mony cunning clerk a1500 Golagros and Gawane 376.
Thai war courtes and couth thair knyghthed to kyth 1513 Doug. iii. ii. 131.
Our folkis … that warryn blyth … Of this kowth [v.r. couth] surname of our new cite 1533 Boece ii. xi. 81.
Thai defendit that the chiftane suld nane vthir way be namyt than the auld & couth terme 1535 Stewart 34952.
Fra that tyme furth sic aythis wes not couth 1535 Ib. 49530.
The Scottis lordis … That keipit kyndnes to him and war couth 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 2529.
As for ane fule, ȝe are ane wonder couth a1568 Scott i. 143.
To quenche thir quent calamiteis so cowth, God gife thé grace
