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.
Jeopard, Jeopart, v. Also : jeoperd(e, -ert. P.t. and p.p. jeoperdit, etc., also jeopard, -erd. [e.m.E. ieopard (a 1548), late ME. ieoberde (11494), ieoparte (15th c.). Cf. Jupert v. Common in Bellenden.]
tr. To hazard (espec. in battle, also in gaming), to venture, risk. Freq. also reflex.(a) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 206.
Donald … seing the king of small power, tuke purpos to jeoperd him to the chance of fortoun 1558-66 Knox II. 518.
She would not jeopard her religion upon such as were there present a1578 Pitsc. I. 268/5.
A common haschatour that hes nothing to ieopard bot ane gleid halfpenney 1600-1610 Melvill 620.
The matter was thought to be of sua gryt importance … that it wes hard for thame quho wer thair to jeopard it(b) 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I. 240.
He had grete admiracioun, quhy he had lever ieopert the Romane army on the chance of fortoun Ib. 290.
The army promittit to ieopart thame self to all maner of danger(b, c) 1531 Bell. Boece II. 194.
That thair realme suld nocht be jeoperdit to extreme dangeir, throw the weris baith in Italie and France(b) 1531 Bell. Boece II. 155.
The frequent chevalry of baith oure pepill, so oft jeoperd to extreme dangeir aganis our ennimes Id. Livy I. 247/34.
Als sone as Furius consul was aduertist of his brotheris slauchter he enforcit him self to batall and … jeoperde him self amyd his inemyis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9726.
Diuers times I haue jeopard my life, Baith for him self [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 468.
For thie I jeoperd have my lyff
b. Const. infin. To venture to do something, to risk doing something.1554 Knox III. 213.
Why will ye jeoparde to loise eternall life? a1578 Pitsc. II. 20/17.
Bot the governour nor cardinall durst nocht jeopard to gif thame battell
c. intr. (for reflex.) To venture, to risk oneself.1531 Bell. Boece I. 98.
[They] concludit to irk thaim [sc. the enemy] erar with lang tary … than to ieoperde aganis sa huge multitude of peple
