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: 1375-1420, 1475-1605
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Dour, Dowr, a. and adv. Also: dur, doure, dowre. [Of doubtful origin. The vowel is not the normal equivalent of the u in F. dur or L. dūrus.]
1. Determined, resolute, stern, hardy.1375 Barb. x. 159.
He wes a stout carle and a sture, And of him-self dour and hardy 1375 Ib. 170.
Hym-self that wes dour and stout c1420 Wynt. ii. 524.
Thareoff … be kynd we ta For tyll be dowre and harde alsua c1420 Ib. v. 265.
In deyd he doure wes douchty 1513 Doug. ii. xii. 5.
At the porchis … stude tho Phenix and dour Vlixes 1513 Ib. vii. viii. 62.
The landwart folkis and dowr foresteris all 1513 Ib. ix. x. 29; etc.
We that bene a pepill derf and dour 1572 Satirical Poems xxxviii. 76.
They culd not weill conqueis vs, … For our men are dour menabsol. c1420 Wynt. iv. 544.
Sa fell thare was the fycht, That mony doure to dede wes dycht c1420 Ib. 932, etc.
2. Obstinate, stubborn, unwilling; sullen.a1400 Legends of the Saints iii. 621.
Gyf that thu sa dur wil be That thu wil nocht consent to me a1400 Ib. xxxvii. 150.
Til gyf ensampil vthyre til That are frawart & dure of wil 1513 Doug. xiii. vi. 106.
All our prayeris and requestis kynd Mycht nowder bow that dowr mannys mynd c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace iv. 187.
Malancoly he was of complexioun, … dour in his contenance c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 132.
Than am I dangerus and dane and dour of my will c1500-c1512 Id. li. 2.
To giff a doublett he is als doure As it war off ane futt syd frog 1533 Boece ii. iv. 62 b.
This man … detesting all … of stiff and doure ingyne 1535 Stewart 1066.
Ane king thai had … Doggit and dour 1535 Ib. 10533.
Thow … art sa doggit and sa dour a1605 Montg. Son. lxviii. 8.
I am dour, and dou not want my will
3. Of actions or things: Hard, severe, harsh. Freq. with dintis.(1) c1420 Wynt. viii. 2509.
Quhare mony dyntis dowre ware sene 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 524.
Sum in the nek gaue me feil dyntis dowre 1535 Stewart 6677.
Thir dyntis dour wer aufull to sustene 1567 Satirical Poems xi. 84.
[Let] Dintis doure the pryde ding doun Of thame that brocht to graif my deir c1590 J. Stewart 62/191.
Quhair dintis dour of Durandal he draws(2) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 437.
Thy hie estait is turnit in darknes dour 1533 Bell. Livy I. 196/4.
To thir legatis was gevin ane doure ansuere 1535 Stewart 2338.
The dartis flew lyke fyre out of the flint Darfful and dour 1596 Dalr. I. 71/14.
Bocchar Pharao … oppressed Israel the people of God with dour and sair seruitude
4. Of hard material. (Cf. Dure a.)c1590 J. Stewart 175/9.
The dourrest nails dois not so suirlie clois Tuo hardnit buirds conjonit both in one
5. adv. Severely, obstinately, extremely.c1420 Wynt. viii. 2026 (W).
That stalwart stoure Off all his fais dingand on doure 1596 Dalr. I. 213/17.
The king of Peychtis sa dour discontent is 1596 Ib. 348/11.
That vngrate nobilitie, sa dour vnthankfull
