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.
Curtas, -ais, a. Also: curtays. [ME. curtas, -ais, -ays (14th c.), etc., OF. curteis, corteis. Cf. Courtas a.] Courteous; of good manners or breeding: a. Of persons. b. Of actions or behaviour.a (a) 1375 Barb. i. 362.
He wes off full fayr effer, Wys, curtais, and deboner Ib. 399. c1420 Wynt. v. 277.
Curtays he wes in tyll his deyd Ib. vii. 821.
Till hys legis he wes curtays [: allwayis] 1456 Hay I. 63/2. Ib. II. 150/32.
He was bathe honest and honourable, curtais and free(b) c1420 Wynt. viii. 7060.
Scho wes swete, and debonare, Curtas, hamely, plesande, and fare c1475 Wall. i. 202.
Sad of contenance he was … , Litill of spech, wys, curtas and benyng Ib. v. 598. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 26/26.
Thou suld be prudent, hardy, … liberale, curtas, meik 1513 Doug. iii. Prol. 30.
Gentill curtas redaris, of gude zeill, I ȝow beseik to gevin aduertens Ib. xi. iii. 13.
Eneas, heynd, curtas, and gud 1549 Compl. 162/28.
The kyng of Ingland vil be na mair gracius, curtas nor merciful to thé, … nor he hes bene to the sperutualite of Ingland a1568 Bann. MS. 217 b/46.
Se in hir serwice thow nocht blin, Bot ay be curtas to that cleirb. c1420 Wynt. ii. 982.
Tenelaus … made hym curtays welcummyng Ib. v. 4636.
He mad curtas and fayre answere a1500 Seven S. 222.
Humly on curtas wys To his fader he bowit c1515 Asl. MS. I. 181/24.
Larges in all caise is sa curtase and awenand
