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.
Foss(e, n. [ME. (c 1400) and OF. fosse, L. fossa.] A ditch, esp. one made for defence. (Cf. Fous n.)1482 Acta Aud. 104/2.
The wrangwiss distructioune & dovnecastin of the fosse and dikis of the loch 1513 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 88.
That ale fremen … sale byg and upmak thar fossis and bastulȝy, … at the Sandenes 1558 Inverness B. Rec. I. 17.
The ald Castell hill to the north, … and the fosse to the est 1586 Lindsay MS. 13.
Gif thai war fortifeit or not or gif thai haue maid fossesfig. 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 219.
In the law foss and pyt of syn 1549 Compl. 19/7.
The quhilk … garris them fal in the depe fosse of seruitude
