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.
Fend, Fende, v. [ME. fend, fende (c 1300), abbrev. of Defend v.]
1. tr. To defend.a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 675.
Thai prayt hyme to tak on hand, As he was wont, to fend that land Ib. l. 59.
To fend hire fra hir fa c1475 Wall. iv. 615.
Wallace … a burly brand can draw, … To fende his men Ib. viii. 700.
Swa sall we fend the fek of this regioun a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 447.
With De profundis fend thé, and that failȝe c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 133.
In feild go furth, and fend the laif 1513 Doug. ii. v. 88.
Gif Pargama … Mycht langar haue beyn fendit into fyght a1578 Pitsc. II. 146/4.
That thai wald fend the place and die in defence of it
b. To fend furth, to keep out.a1500 Rauf C. 655.
Thair was na fyue of thay freikis, that micht him furth fend
2. intr. To defend oneself, offer resistance.c1420 Wynt. vii. 60 (W).
Thov has wappinnis als redy To fecht or fend as now haif I 1535 Stewart 5632.
This Caratac … hes pangit al the fect, Or euer tha wist outher to fend or fle a1568 Bann. MS 65 a/5.
Ar few for falsett may now fend 1573 Sat. P. xl. 196.
This is merwell … How he suld fend from furie and thair fead
3. tr. and refl. To defend from want; to provide with sustenance, to maintain.a1500 Seven S. 2653.
The scho ravyn away couth fle To fende hir self as scho mycht best 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8530.
Than the male rauin … Fed this ȝoung rauin quhil it had strenth to fle And fend the self 1572 Inverness B. Rec. I. 215.
The said Andro to fend and meit him according to his serwice 1637 Dundonald Par. Rec. 420.
James Forgishill … being daft … was not able to fend him self
4. intr. To support or maintain oneself.1555 Prot. Bk. Sir W. Corbet 22.
Lat tham fend wyth thair awyn gwydis a1605 Birrel Diary 27.
Look if that ye can fend for ȝour self 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 206.
We have had only two pedaneous preachers, … The offring is so small they are not able to fend upon it
