A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Defect, v. [e.m.E. (1586), L. dēfect- ppl. stem of dēficere.] intr. a. To fail, perish, be lost. b. To fall away, desert. —a. 1596 Dalr. I. 342/3.
Quha wryte, that the kingis blude in Alexr vttirlie defectet [L. defecisse], ar vttirlie deceiuet Ib. II. 61/13.
The pest sa seueir, that al infected suddenlie defected [L. confecti] and dietb. Ib. I. 96/9.
In the catholik religione far les thay defecte [L. vacillent] Ib. II. 424/8.
His sone … defectand [L. deficiens] fra the religioune flies to Geneua
