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.
Debel(l, v. [e.m.E. debell (1555), L. dēbellāre.] tr. To subdue in fight; to beat down by warfare or force.14.. Acts I. 401/2.
Thar lordis in quhais landis thai wonne may for scathis til thaim done debel the misdoaris be personis cumand betuen 1533 Boece iii. xvii. 115 b.
Vespasiane … passit apoun inemyis to debell atanis all the Albiane pepill Ib. xi. xvi. 438.
To debell the tyran 1568 Pref. Lyndesay 6.
Quha … did lang debell, and hald out the Romische superstitionis and ceremoneis 1595 Hist. Jas. VI. 356.
To debell the great ennemie to our Salviour Christ and all his
