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.
Desperat, adj. [Late ME. desperate (Caxton), L. dēspērātus. Cf. Disperate.]
a. Despairing; desperate.1562-3 Winȝet I. 3/13.
Almaist desperat of thair awin and vtheris lyues Ib. II. 10/7.
The new padȝeane of his desperat brethir
b. Of which there is no hope. 1601 Ayr B. Acc. 52.
Item dependand xv. li. ix s, in desperat handis nocht responsabill
