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: 1399-1420, 1473-1625
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Foster, v. Also: fostir, fostyr(e, fostor. [ME. fostire, foster, fostren (c 1200), ON. fóstra (OE. only féstrian).]
1. tr. To supply with food; to feed.a1400 Legends of the Saints ii. 756.
Thai fosterit him … With sic dietis, as cordand wes For the padok
2. To bring up (a child or young person) with proper care; to nurture. Sometimes combined with fede.a1400 Legends of the Saints xii. 73.
Thane tuk scho the chyld priwely & gert foster it tendyrly a1400 Ib. xxviii. 68.
Scho … gefine wes to fostir & fede Wthouth the towne c1420 Wynt. i. 1538.
This Jupyter all prevaly Scho gert be fostryde tendirly c1420 Ib. iii. 637.
In the wode he fostyryde was 1473 Treasurer's Accounts I. 52.
Jonet Darrouch of Striuelin, that fosteryt my Lady the Kingis sister a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 517.
Fowmart, fasert, fostirit in filth and fen 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 1714.
To thre nuresis to foster he him gaue 1594 Elgin Rec. II. 39.
Scho spak to the said Janet and speirat at hir gif scho culd helpe the seik barne that scho was fosterand
b. To rear (an animal).1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 38.
That calf, quhilk fosterit was sa fair, Thow hes gart kill
3. To bring up, train, influence, or encourage (a person) in a certain course or way.a1400 Legends of the Saints iii. 207.
My barne … To this aldman enerthand is To foster hym in to sic myse 1500 Justiciary Rec. (Reg. H.) I. 153.
This ȝoung gentilman fosterit with sik fair quyet flattre was allurit in this manir 1540 Lynd. Sat. 883.
I haue na feill of flattrie, Bot fosterit with philosophie 1588 King Catechism 50.
Fosterit, teachit, and brocht vp in continuall exercise ?1549 Monro W. Isles 49.
Sundrie covis and holis in the earth, … quhilk fosters maney rebellis in the countrey
4. To assist, promote, encourage (something).a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxii. 684.
Hou that [he thocht] bath nycht and day Til eke & fostyre cristine fay c1420 Ratis Raving 1488.
Tyrandry … fosteris fellony in his sted c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ii. 310.
Sic deid to thaim, me think, suld foster feid a1500 Golagros and Gawane 955.
As thou formit all frute to foster our fude 1562-3 Winȝet II. 78/17.
Justlie … the cause is laid to our charge, gif be silence we foster an erroure a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS lxxi. 36.
Flattrie is fosterit baith with freyndis and fais 1599 Fraser P. 115.
Not only is the derth of all wairis … foisterit and raisit 1625 Acts V. 183/1.
This abuse is foisterit and intertenyed be … maltmen, mailmakeris [etc.]
5. intr. To be comforting.a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS lix. 26.
Ane nap is nurissand eftir none, Ane fyre is fosterand for my feit
