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: 1375-1581
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Law, v. Also: lawe. [North. and north midl. ME. laȝhenn (Orm), lawe (c 1340), midl. and south. loȝen, lowe; f. Law a.] tr. To bring low, chiefly fig.
1. To bring to earth, in a material sense.1489 Brus iv. 284 (E).
The King … Wes laid at erd and lawit [C. lamyt] bath
2. fig. To bring low, abase, humble, (a person) in rank or position, or in spirit; also, to lower (a person's power, pride, etc.). Also reflex.1375 Barb. xiii. 658.
Quhen the Kyng Eduardis mycht Wes lawit, Kyng Robert lap on hicht a1400 Legends of the Saints xxix. 255.
For-thi first mon thu lawit be Fra the sicht of al wanyte a1400 Ib. xxxi. 756.
Ful glad that he Fore Cristis sak mycht lawit be a1400 Ib. xxxvi. 215. c1450 Craft of Deyng 157.
He suld brynge to his mynd his ill dedis, at thai ma law hyme and bryng hyme to knaw his fragelyte 1456 Hay II. 61/9.
Bot quhat is the pryde of a proud haultane man worth, quhen he can nocht remembre of the poyntis that God may sone lawe him with? 1456 Ib. /16.
[In defeat] fors corporale in a strange persone has lawit his pryde a1500 Henr. Fab. 934.
The greit cameill, thocht he wer neuer sa crous, I can him law als lytill als ane mous a1500 Id. III. 127/55.
[Christ,] Quha hyis law [B. law hairtis] and lawis he 1513 Doug. x. Prol. 104.
O Lord, … That lawyt sa far thy maieste and hyght To be born man intill ane oxis stabill 1533 Gau 91/8.
Christ … lawit hime selff and twik apone hime the schaip of man 1535 Stewart 8093.
King Caratac quhen he [Ostorius] beheld with sycht Lawit so far quhilk wes befoir so he With fals Fortoun 1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii. 104.
Fortoun montit neuer man on hicht, Bot sho can law him within a litill quhyle
b. To disparage, ‘run down’; also, to discredit.a1400 Legends of the Saints l. 167.
Catone … Forbad his sowne … To law hyme-self or lof gretly c1420 Wynt. viii. 2354 (W).
Maister Baldred … Be euidentis that he thare schawit … maid that tyrandis taill full lawit 1456 Hay I. 192/19.
Gif I be a kirk man, I suld nocht law the privilege of the kirk 1456 Ib. II. 57/4.
Na [will he have] his hye honour lawit na defoulit
c. To bring low, overthrow, or to bring discredit upon, besmirch (some good or honourable quality).1513 Doug. xi. Prol. 82.
The flesch debatis aganys the spiritual gost Hys hie courage with sensual lust to law 1535 Stewart 44.
Appetite … Throw persuasioun of sensualitie, Lawand ressoun and his hevenlie indyte
