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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.

Crous, Crows, a. and adv. Also: crouse. [Northern ME. crous, crus (c 1300), of obscure origin.]

1. adj. Bold, hardy, high-spirited, confident, self-satisfied, jaunty. c1450-2 Howlat 222.
The crous capone, a clerk under cleir weidis, … was officiale 1461 Liber Plusc. 387.
Sum ar heire crous that thaire will syt full dum c1460 Thewis Wysmen 412.
Thai ar loudest of all the hous, Gret, vordy, claiterand and maist crous c1460 Consail Wys Man 117.
Be nocht our ryatas na crous 1535 Stewart 35915.
Als hail a man As euir he wes … And in him self that tyme as crous and kant Ib. 38300.
That none durst be so hardie and so crous To speik of him [etc.] a1500 Peblis to Play 94.
Ane spak with wourdis wonder crous: A done with ane mischance! 1567 Sat. P. xi. 91.
Be crous, ȝe commouns! in this cace, In auenture ȝe cry, allace! 1570 Ib. xx. 74.
Do ȝe not se that mad menȝe How thay ar waxin crous? a1598 Fergusson Prov. (1641) 3.
A cock is crouse in his own midding Ib. 20.
There is nothing so crouse as a new washen louce c 1680 Bk. Pasquils 186.
For Edinburgh Cross, Venetian Coffee Hous, Batons in chiefe are armes that make them crouss

2. adv. In a ‘crouse’ manner. a1500 Henr. Fab. 523.
Than Toppok lyke ane curate spak full crous c1450-2 Howlat 221.
The ravyne … For the procuracionnis Cryand full crows c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 52.
Quhen carpand wer thir two most crows, The wolf he ombesett the hous 1581 Sat. P. xliv. 149.
That skipper crous can crau, Sua that he knaw the iurnay to succeid 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. ii. 48.
And after thou has crackt so crouse, Thy mountains do bring forth a mouse