A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1551-1596
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Daftnes, n. [Daft a.] Foolishness, folly; wantonness. 1551 Hamilton Catechism 1511.
The word of the Crosse semis to be daftnes and folie to thame that perischis 1568 Reg. Privy C. I. 620.
Ionete Swan, … is troublous and dois wrang be way of deid under cullour of daftnes and fatuitie c1590 J. Stewart 60/12.
To dant the daftnes of ane fole maling 1596 Dalr. II. 36/33.
The gouernour … was vexte hauilie with the ȝoung daftnes [L. insolentia] of his awne sones 1596 Ib. 46/10.
That [thay] … mycht now se thair awne daftnes [L. stultitia], and lach or greit at thair awne vanitie
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"Daftnes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/daftnes>
