A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1475-1623
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Makdome, n. [Appar. f. Mak n.2 Also in various uses in the later dial. of Shetland, Orkney, Kincardineshire and Perthshire.]
1. (A person's) form, shape or build; bodily stature or appearance. = Mak n.2 2 a. a1500 Henr. III. 118/18 (B).
This ȝung man … mervellit mekle of his makdome maid c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ix. 358, 361.
[The king] Wesyit thaim weill, … Maner, makdome, thar fassoun and thar wesage. Sadly he said … ‘That largest man … Wald I call him, be makdome to dewice’ 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 7188.
This woman is … In speiche, in voice, makdome and portratour, … like my awin quene 1560 Ib. 8129. 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Georgics iii. 50. a1578 Pitsc. I. 273/19.
Tuo of his gaird … was men of makdome baitht allyke to the King. Thairfoir … the Inglischemen beleiffit that ane of thame was the King a1605 Montg. Misc. P. l. 13.
Makdome and proper memberis all Sa perfyte
2. Pleasing or attractive form, comeliness, beauty. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 72.
I suld … be found … To manifest my makdome to multitude of pepill 1535 Stewart 23868.
The eldest [son] … Ane basit barne … Without makdome vther of lym or lith 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 8129.
All the ladeis … Thair trim makdome a1568 Bannatyne MS 245 b/18. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 78/12.
Gif ȝe speik of loue, be warre ȝe descryue ȝour loues makdome, or her fairnes
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"Makdome n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/makdome>
