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.
Desirous, Desyrous, a. Also: desirus, desyrus, -rows, -rouse, -reous. [ME. desyrous, desirous (c 1300), AF. desirous, OF. desireus.] Desirous, full of desire; ardent, eager. Freq. const. of or with infin.c1475 Wall. ii. 2.
Ȝong Wallace … , In prys of armys desirous and sauage c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 54.
As falcoun swift desyrouse of hir pray 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 84.
Desyrus all the maner for to heir Ib. xi. x. 3.
Desyrus of the battale and bargane 1533 Bell. Livy I. 134/17.
Becaus ilk man belevit thame to be richt desirus and diligent in thare materis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6359.
Sa couetous, and desyrous This stewart was gold for to win 1562-3 Winȝet I. 67/9.
Gif thai be desyrus [MS. desyrows] of the treuth thairof Ib. II. 30/18.
Desirus of vane gloir a1578 Pitsc. I. 198/30.
Richt desyreous to haue victorie of that tyrane king
