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.
Dull, v. Also: dulle, dul. [ME. dulle (Chaucer), f. Dull,a.]
1. tr. To make dull (in mind or interest).c1420 Wynt. ii. 882.
Swa suld I dulle hale yhowre delyte Ib. iv. 1749.
Gyff thai ware all reknyd here, I dred [thai] suld dull yhoure appetyte 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 267.
Euerie wicht thairwith micht be joyous. Bot … catiues dullit in dispair c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxviii. 10.
The sentence lay … in my heid behind, Dullit in dulness and distres 1531 Bell. Boece II. 13.
Sen fortoun is changit be oure curage, and our ennimes dullit be lang sleuth 1551 Hamilton Cat. 6.
He … hurtis & dullis his intelligence and powar of understanding
2. intr. To become dull or inert.a1500 Henr. Fab. 22.
Ane bow that is ay bent Worthis vnsmart and dullis on the string 1531 Bell. Boece I. 186.
That he suld nocht dull … in sleuth, he gave his ingine to hunting Id. Livy I. 101/13.
It was nocht proffitabill to him to dul & pas oure his dayis
