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: 1420, 1513-1611
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Laborynth, Laberinth, n. Also : labor-, labirinth(e, lauborynth; labor-, laberynt; (laborynthus, labor-, labyrinthus). [ME. Laborintus (Trevisa), e.m.E. labir(1548), laber-, labyrinth, L. labyrinthus and cf. 15th c. F. labyrinthe (1418, Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. The Labyrinth of Crete.c1420 Wynt. ii. 1319.
The Laberynt [W. Laborynt] thai callyd that place, The Mynotawre set in it was 1513 Doug. iii. Prol. 15.
Nyce Laborynth [R. Lauborynth], quhar Mynotawr the bull Was kepte, had nevir sa feil cahuttis and ways 1513 Ib. vi. i. 43.]
[That namekouth hows, quhilk Laborynthus [R. Labyrinthus, Sm. Laborinthus] hait 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 64/6.
Dedalus maid the Laborynth to keip the monstir Minotaurus c1590 J. Stewart 144/4.
Als monie vayis … As vilsum vas in Laborinthe of Creit
2. fig. a. A maze or confusion (of ideas, plots, etc.). b. A vexatious and frustrating task.a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxxx. 18.
But I alace bewrapt with wo In laberinth I ly 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii. 177.
Macrobivs Qyntvs of Corinth, Quho did descend to hell, In ane mair troublus labori[n]th Not intricat him sell Nor I now 1596 Bk. Dunvegan I. 74.
Swa that it wes a laborinth to get wourd of thair fatheris buekis or wrettis 1611 Criminal Trials III. 157.
The first motives which involved the Laird of Auchindranes evill nature in the labirinth of these mischevous interprysses
