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.
Mala-, Malepert(e, a. Also: -pertt, -part, -pairt(e, mallapert, mal-pairt. [ME. malapert, maleapert (Lydgate), e.m.E. malepart, presumptuous, impudent, OF. malapert inexpert.] Presumptuous, overweening; audacious, impudent.a1500 Henr. Lion & Mouse 206 (Bass.).
Over malapart and eik presumpteous Thow wes, to mak out over me thy tripping 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 73.
My lewytnes … with fuylhardy curage malapert Schupe to enterprit … Thys … prynce of poetry Ib. i. 7.
To the bald Turnus malapert and stowt Ib. xiii. vii. 50. 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II. 400.
How he durst be sa malapertt, to stand contrair the Kingis accionis Id. Livy I. 178/22. 1535 Stewart 8740.
Sa malepart ane knaif a1568 Bann. MS. 158 b/94.
To be maister as schir Mallapert 1550 Knox III. 49.
Bold and maleperte impietie 1558 Ib. IV. 508, Ib. I. 316. 1563 Ib. II. 394. 1570 Id. in Bann. Memor. 71.
So malepairte, … and so tyrannous a fact Ib. 92. 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 85.
All thay that makis moltin imagis, ar mad malapart 1600-1610 Melvill 656.
Malapairte 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xviii.
How mal-apert are men … to seugh vp the sanctuaryground? 1629 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III. 194.
He … answered … they [bailies] wer malapert to affirme that thai wer cled with his majesteis auctoritie 1682 Lauder's Observes App. iv. 305. 1683 Aberd. Trades 140.
His injurious speeches … and mal-pairt striking of the said William
