A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Frete, n.1 Also: freyte, freit, freet, frett. [Northern ME frete (a 1300; otherwise only Sc.), of obscure origin.] A superstitious belief, fancy, or observance, esp. a belief in omens; anything regarded as an omen or foreboding. (Rarely used in the singular.)pl. c1420 Wynt. v. 4864.
Thai off Rome … in fretys and reverys Makand to deuelys offt sacryfys Ib. vi. 2208.
Thai herd, that Makbeth aye In fantown fretys had gret fay 1456 Hay II. 64/13.
Sum … mare has traist in thair fretis and folyis na in the faith of God Ib. 64/31.
A knycht that wyrkis eftir ȝone fretis, that we have here … namyt 1531 Bell. Boece II. 273.
He had sic confidence in his fretis, that he belevit fermely nevir to be vincust Id. Livy I. 55/23.
The Albanis hallowit thare fretis [L. carmina] and terribill coniuraciouns Ib. 191/27. a1568 Bann. MS. 134 a/3.
Sic freitis I hald nocht wirth a fas a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1286.
Sic smyling, begyling, Bids feir not any freits 1622-6 Bisset I. 63/32.
The fals responses of wiches … and dissaitfull freittis quhairon Makbaith lippynnit and dependitt 1629 Mure True Cruc. 2277.
But holie water in the ayre to tosse, … Scorne thou, as fruitlesse freets 1684 Erskine Diary 90.
I observed more freets and devilish customs they practice on Hallow evensing. a1605 Montg. Sonn. xxviii. 6.
Ane asse, … looking to no freet, To pleis hir maister [etc.] Id. Misc. P. xxiv. 37.
I, that … thoght his furie but a feckles freet 1702 Seafield Corres. 354.
Some have a frett that the hare should be killed
