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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.

Direct, Derect, p.p. Also: dyrect, directe, -ctt, direc, dereck. [ME. dyrect, direct (Chaucer), L. dīrectus p.p. of dīrigere.]

1. Turned or directed to or towards something. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2821.
Torne we to the trewe story The quhiche our graith is now direct 1587-99 Hume 81/40.
Sa being the single eie of thy minde be direct towards God

2. Of letters, writs, etc.: Specially written for, and addressed to, a particular person or persons.(a) 1474 Acta Aud. 33/2.
The said schiref sal peremptorly minister justice betuix the said partis … & lettres to be direct tharapon 1479 Acta Conc. 28/2.
Lettres & command … direct to our said souuerain lord 1498 Reg. Privy S. I. 36/1.
A presentation … of the archidenry of Louthiane … direct to the vicare general of Sanctandris 1515 Sutherland Bk. III. 59.
A precept of seisyne of … the erldome of Sutherland … is direct to ws be our souerane lordis chapell 1542 Acts II. 424*/2.
That the saidis preceptis be … of als grete strenth avalour and effect as thai war direct to Jhone abbot of Pasley 1562 St. A. Kirk S. 179.
The Superintendent ordenis inhibicionis in wryt to be direc to all kyrkis necessar to the same effect 1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 108.
The forme of a letter direct to the maister of the grammer scoile 1582 Ib. III. 474.
His Hienes licence to cheis … Maister Robert Montgomery, minister, wes direct to the cheptoure of the seitt of Glasgow 1598 Conv. Burghs II. 34.
That thair missiue be pennytt and direct in thair names be thair clerk … to the magistrattis 1639 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 161.
The letter direct frome the nobilitie of the taibles to the prouest and baillies of this burghe 1645 Ib. IV. 59.
The caption direct against our nichtbouris for payment of their lent moneyes(b) 1567 Sat. P. vi. h.
Ane exhortatioun derect to my lord regent 1574 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 435.
The schireff deput … ordinis preceptis of poynding to be derect heirone in forme of law as effeiris a1578 Pitsc. II. 85/5.
The quene and governour … causit incontenent lettres to be derect [etc.] 1650 Echt Kirk S. in Strathbogie Presb. p. xiii.
Jhone Arbuthnot … was delaitit for breck of Sabboth, in careing of letters dereck from the Erll Marischall to the Earl Marischalls bailyie 1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 194.
The commissioners of burrowes … haueing receavit ane leter derect to them from the lord chancellar

b. Furnished with an address in writing. 1644 Douglas Corr. 253.
Delyuir this as its derect on the bake

3. Instructed; sent with instructions or on an errand. a1500 Bk. Chess 2149.
He has na power ferther for to do Than be the king he is direct to 1521 Douglas Corr. 78.
I and utheris has presentlie directe this berar … appoune certane necessare instructiounes 1560 Rolland Seven S. 715.
The Messinger he was direct beliue … Unto the seuin greit maisteris of renoun 1570 Conv. Burghs I. 19.
That ane speciall man suld be direct … to the maist cristnitt King of France 1582 Misc. Spald. C. II. 337.
Peter Heyis eldest sone being … direct be his father to betraise me 1603 Moysie 5.
The said lord Ruthuen, and Alexander Hay … wes direct out of Sterling from the King [etc.]