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: 1375-1438, 1569-1587, 1662
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Covyne, Cowyn(e, n. Also: covine, -in(g, coven(e, covan; cuwyn(e, cuvyne, kuvine. [ME. covyne, -ine (c 1350) and covyn, -in (c 1300), OF. covine f. and covin m. Cf. Convine.]
1. A compact or agreement; a complot.1375 Barb. iv. 111.
I wat nocht for quhat enchesoun, Na quham with he maid the cowyne 1375 Ib. xvii. 27.
In-till his hert thoucht he, That he vald slely mak cowyne With the marschall a1585 Maitland Quarto MS xliv. 69.
The canker of our auld contentioun Will keip no covene nor conventioun
2. Plotting, planning, or subtle designing.1375 Barb. ix. 14.
Thai tald the king all the covyng Of Iohn Cwmyne, the Erll of Bouchane c1420 Wynt. iv. 940.
Be the consalle, and kuvine [C. cuwyne], And queyntyse off Temystocles c1420 Ib. viii. 5955.
Alysawndyre the Ramsay Throwch covyne off ane, … Come to Roxburgh c1420 Ib. ix. 249.
On cowyn thai walde hym haf slayne
3. Disposition; spirit.1375 Barb. ix. 78.
His vrechidnes so in thame gais, That thai thair manlynes sall tyne Throu vrechidnes of his covyne 1375 Ib. xiii. 122; etc.
Lordingis, now luk that ȝhe Worthy and of gud covyne be At this assemble, and hardy ?1438 Alex. i. 2433.
Betys met thame sturdely In gude couen with his menȝe To do worship throw thair bounte
b. Condition, state.?1438 Alex. ii. 2355.
Alssone as thare souerane King Hes askit ilkane ane asking, Than will thay wit of his couine ?1438 Ib. 3001.
He askit than of Clarus efferes And of his couen [F. couvinne] and of his weres
c. Result, profit.1587 Colville Lett. 89.
If I knewe that this societie should beare covin to the benefit of religion
4. A company, band, crew.a1570-86 Dunb. Maitland Folio MS v. 14.
Lat anes the cope go rownd abowt And wein the couenis [v.r. covanis] benissoun 1662 Criminal Trials III. 603.
Ther are threttein persones in my coven. The last tyme that owr coven met, we, and an vther coven, wer dauncing [etc.] 1662 Ib.
All we of the coeven went still … with the plewghe
