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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.

Determ(e, v. [f. L. dētermināre, after term. Also e.m.E. (1535).]

1. tr. To decide or resolve that, to fix or decide upon (something). a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 431.
He determyt in his thocht That dwel thare langare wald he nocht c1420 Ratis R. 832.
He is nocht wys na happy man Determys his entent as than 1513 Doug. iv. ix. 3.
Quhen Dydo had … determyt fermly that scho wald de 1533 Gau 19/3.
That ane man sinnis nocht … bot giff he determe that perfitlie with his hart

b. intr. To decide or determine to do something. 1531 Bell. Boece I. 53.
Quhom we have determit to follow, as maist autentik auctouris Id. Livy I. 40/6.
Becaus he fand nocht his inemyis … , he determit to seik thame 1533 Boece vii. ix. 238.
Eugene … with Durst … determyt move were contrare Britouns 1549 Compl. 99/27.
Thai determit to send ane message til ald Herenius, … til hef his opinione and consel 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6184.
To haue the toun also the King determit 1570 Leslie 161.
The King of Ingland determitt with him selfe to maik weare in Scotland

c. In p.p. Having decided or resolved. a1500 Bk. Chess 948.
Quhen Denys … Determyte was that Damon suld be slane 1513 Doug. xii. xi. 138.
I am determyt … Eneas hand for hand for till assaill 1516 Acts XII. 32/1.
He … is determit to continew for his dewite as he will ansueir to God and man 1533 Boece vi. vi. 197 b.
Pece … suld be cherist without thai war determit to vndo … baith public and private glore 1567 G. Ball. 203.
Thairfoir thay mak sa greit vproir, … Determit … To fecht all in to feir

2. tr. To decide or settle (a matter in dispute). 1389 Reg. Cambuskenneth 259.
To deme and to determe as lauch and richt wald all actionis betuene the abbot … and William of Fentoune Ib. 260.
The playntis till ws schewit … we demit and determit as eftir followis 14.. Acts I. 22/2.
Mutis that rysis in burgh, thar thai sall be haldyne and determit 1458 Acta Conc. II. Introd. 15.
All uthir causses pertenande to the knawlege of the saidis lordis salbe utterly decidyt and determyt be thame Ib. 129.
The actioun … to be determyt and decidit befor the spirituale juge ordiner 1567 Reg. Privy C. I. 568.
Thair to … determe thai thingis, … quhilkis salbe convenit for the tyme for the utilitie and commoun welth

b. To decide, settle, or fix. Also const. that. 1456 Hay I. 285/21.
For ire lettis the mannis mynde to juge and determe veritee 1466 Reg. Great S. 214/2.
The quhilk counsale and we decidit, determit, and deliverit … that we and our airis [etc.] 1490 Irland Mir. I. 70/13.
I determe, that, and … Adam had nocht synnyt … Ihesus had nocht tholit passioun Id. Asl. MS. I. 38/26.
The prelatis has power to determe the tyme and maner of fasting 1513 Doug. i. v. 93.
This is determyt, this lykis the goddis a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxxii. 13.
Quhat they determe, no sentence can retreit 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 147b.
Al things quhilks suld be heard, traitit, vnderlyn, fulfilled, and determed in the said air

3. intr. To make or give a decision. 1481 Peebles B. Rec. 28.
The persouns that past on the said inquisicioun has … superflue deliuerit and determyt in the said mater 1483 Acta Conc. II. Introd. iii.
Thai var utherwais retourit be the clerk na thai determyt 1490 Irland Mir. I. 16/6.
Thou sall knaw mony of the gretest … questioun[is] that clerkis determys of 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 217.
In tha days war ma illusionys, … Than now thar beyn, as doith clerkis determ 1532 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) Betoun v. Melville.
Thai culd nocht gudlie determe heirintill quhill thai war recounselat with vthiris