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.
Defame, Diffame, n. Also: deffame, defayme. [ME. defame (c 1450), diffame, OF. deffame, diffame, late L. diffamia.]
1. Ill fame, evil repute; disgrace, discredit, ignominy.(a) 1375 Barb. xix. 12.
The lord of Sowlis … Of that purchas had mast defame c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1096.
To be peryst withoutene blame And but cause makynge of defame c1420 Wynt. ii. 1468.
For dowt that weman wald me blame, Gyff that it twechys thare defame Ib. v. 3854.
Na till hys state sall fall defayme Ib. 4156; etc.
Off oure Lady this deffame He set 1456 Hay II. 90/18.
Than sall he be reprovit … and put to perpetuale defame a1500 Bk. Chess 574.
Scho dowtit nocht hir deid. Scho dowtit mor of hir defame remeid 1513 Doug. x. xiv. 103.
Deip in hys hart boldynnys the felloun schame, Myxit with dolour, angir, and defame 1519 Buccleuch Mun. II. 136.
Onder the pane of defame and perjur perpetual c1552 Lynd. Mon. 984.
Than gan thay boith for to thynk schame; And to be naikit thocht defame a1568 Scott xxxv. 2.
Happie is hie hes hald him fre Frome folkis of defame 1596 Dalr. I. 285/17.
A foul bleck of defame and dishonour 1614 Crim. Trials III. 294.
Vnder the payne of periurie and everlasting defame(b) c1420 Wynt. ii. 1458 (W).
For dreid that women wald me blame Gif that I tuichit thar diffame 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 175.
To rehers and blaw on breid ȝour awyn diffame 1533 Bell. Livy II. 39/21.
To the grete diffame and reproche of Romanis, thay schew the pray … reft recentlie fra thare landis a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 310 (M).
Thow was … ordanit be Sathane For to be borne to do thy kin diffame
2. Defamation, depreciation.c1420 Wynt. vi. 1379 (W).
This legat … said him be public defame That thai put till him gret blame a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 284.
Cresseid … Ane blind goddes hir cald … With sclander and defame iniurious c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxii. 11.
May nane pas throw ȝour principall gaittis, … For fensum flyttingis of defame c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i. 919.
How Desperance … Contempnit me with wordis of defame a1585 Polwart Flyt. 642.
His surname doth flow fra two termes of diffame, From Mont and Gomora
