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: 1600-1699
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Evit(e, Eveit, v. Also: evitt. [e.m.E. evite (1503–1635), F. éviter, L. ēvītāre. In 17th c. chiefly Sc.] trans. To avoid.(a) c 1610 Melville Mem. (1683) 154.
Leading me by the hand to dine with him in His Majesty's presence, which I could nor evite c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 57.
It was thought he did it to euite a prediction, or cussin ane old prophecie 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xiii. § 1.
Such as killed themselves, to evite a just punishment of the crimes for which they were accused 1698 Cromarty Corr. I. 133.
It most now come to a law suite, which I was soe farr willing to evite(b) 1657 Balfour Ann. III. 428.
He … to euitt the racke and gins layed for him, at last bethinks himselue of one way of addresse 1667 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II. 657.
To evit ane criminall persuit intented be your petitioners c 1678 Lauder Observes 259.
Many wayes ware found out to evit the hazard of capers(c) 16.. Herries Mem. 129.
[It] might be occasion of more blood, which he strove to eveit 1654 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 296.
The … counsell … sieing they can not get it na wayes eveitit or eshued, they ordaine [etc.] 1697 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs IV. 247.
Wee desire to eveit all reflections
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