A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1658
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How, Hou, n.3 Also: hw. [ME. howe (c 1440), howfe, houve, hove, OE. húfe, ON. húfa.] A cap.fig. a glasine how, see Glasin a. b.a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxviii. 228.
Thu did nocht ellis … .Bot to God mad a clasine [sic] how c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 90.
Ane silkyn how vnder his choll vas knyt1507 Treasurer's Accounts III. 251.
For ane elne rede bukram for ane how to the Kingis sellat1512 Ib. IV. 356.
For sewin of howis of taffatis to the King 1513 Doug. v. x. 22.
Thar crown, That baith with how and helm was thrystit doun1536 Treasurer's Accounts VI. 457.
Gevin for twa nycht howis to the Kingis grace1540 Lynd. Sat. 733.
Gif my hair war vp in ane how, The feind ane man wald ken me, I trow 1579 Inv. Wardrobe 282.
Ten howis sewit with reid silk a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) 12.
Of hypocrites [it is said.] … He breaks my head, and syn puts on my howa1628 Carmichael Prov. Nos. 383, 952.
Hw1658 R. Moray Lett. 2 Apr.
Why do you not at least put on my how?
b. In the phrase be how and hare (hair).a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvii. 162.
His ministeris … Hynt Vincent thane be hou and hare a1400 Ib. xl. 1046.
He ves hynt be how and hayre & to the scherefe brocht c1420 Wynt. v. 1711 (W).
Befor the provest of the tovne He wes harlit be how and haire
c. Undir how, in concealment.1596 Dalr. I. 320/14.
Donald, now lyand vndir how in the Hilandis, heiris of this 1596 Ib. II. 3/32.
He walde na langre lurk and ly undir how
