A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Cowart, Coward, a. [ME. coward (c 1300); see Cowart,n.] Cowardly.(a) 1456 Hay II. 36/14.
And he be cowart or full of wikkit vicis Ib. 51/12.
Gif … he be feigned, slak, and cowart 1513 Doug. xi. viii. 34.
In tha cowart feit, euir wont to fle 1533 Boece iii. iv. 94 b.
This departing … & cowart fleing Ib. xi. xix. 445.
Thare cowart and schamefull flicht a1570-86 Maitl. F. xlvii. 50.
Than art thow fais and cowart bayth a1586 Lindesay MS. 69 b.
He is defoulit be cowart men, … vnmychttie, feble, … and flearis(b) 1456 Hay II. 157/16.
Sum man is hardy as lyoun, and ane othir rad and coward as a hare c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 50 (B).
Crawdoun Kennedy, coward of kynd
