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.
Interprys(e, -pris(e, -price, n. Also: -pryis, -pryce. [e.m.E. interprice (a 1548), -prize (1601); var. of Enterprise n.] An attempt at, or undertaking of, some action of importance.(a) c1515 Asl. MS. I. 294/19.
It fortunat this man … to tak ane interprys of armes with ane Inglisman 1513 Doug. x. viii. 13.
I wald hys fader stude heirby, This interprys to derayn and aspy Ib. xii. xii. 174.
To na bourding twichit thar interprys [: lyis] 15.. Clar. v. 948.
As the madinis song vpon this wayes, The varlots justit and maid interpryse 1567 Sat. P. v. 17.
I grant ȝour interpryse was gude, Ȝour purpose worthy till allow a1578 Pitsc. I. 340/11.
The kingis mother … tuik ane interpryse of aircharie wpoun the Inglischemenis handis c1615 Chron. Kings 87.
Knawing that the Cardinall appoissid him selff to sik interpryssis 1622-6 Bisset II. 389/4.
To lament that evir ane Scottis harte suld have bene moved to consent to that interpryse(b) 1535 Stewart 25665.
Syne in the feild … [they] Met in the middis with mony interpryis Ib. 32669.
Oure interpryis wnendit is a1568 Scott ii. 52.
With twa … speiris squair It wes thair interpryis To fecht 1567 Reg. Privy C. I. 545.
Seing the murtherare … fund sic hap in ane unhappy interpryise 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 9.
To be persowit be arte and parte takin with the said Johnne Leslie in this his … wicked interpryis(c) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 275.
Belt yow … with manheid, and tak your wappinnis to this honest interpris 1561 Conf. Faith in Knox II. 96.
Least that they be trubillit … to the defecting of this oure maist godlie interprise c1590 Fowler II. 121/12.
The interprises of grat thingis 1596 Dalr. I. 72/21.
With a new power to truble Gathel, and to stop his interprise throuch battel(d) 1549 Compl. 132/4.
Of this sort [of friend] there interpricis is manifest 1570 Leslie 192.
Thay returned … frustrat of thair interprice Ib. 229.
The glorie of this atchevit interprice 1578 Black Book Taymouth 221.
For performance of his onnaturall interpryce and intent 1596 Dalr. I. 71/2.
Thair capietane … was taine and beheidit for his tirannis and interpryces
