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.
Quotation dates: 1490-1563
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Dirknes, Dyrknes, n. [ME. dyrkenesse (c 1440), rare var. of derk(e)nesse, Derknes.] Darkness (lit. and fig.).(1) a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 789.
In dolorus dirknes with devillis thair to dwell c1500 Rowll Cursing 172 (M).
Quhair thair is … Dirknes, mirknes, rouk and mist c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxviii. 28.
The sone … now schynis bricht, And dirknes clerit 1513 Doug. ii. x. 80.
I … The clowd of dyrknes from thi sicht to cleir 1531 Bell. Boece I. 146.
Sumtime thay draif gret prayis of bestial, be dirknes of nicht, fra the Britonis 1562-3 Winȝet II. 81/9.
We knaw the principal of this sort to be the angel of dirknes(2) a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 429.
Be my gyde … In misty dirknes of warldlie warians 1490 Irland Mir. I. 17/8.
Becaus our mynd & saule … is fallin in dyrknes and ignoraunce of hevinly thingis c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxv. 20 (M1).
Ȝe clerkis … To ws be mirrouris … And in owr dirknes be lampis off schining 1554 Misc. Bann. C. III. 83.
The dirknes of ignorance
