A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1657
[0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0]
March, Merch(e, n.1 Also: Marche, (Marchis, Marght), Marsh, Mertche, Mairch. [ME. marrch (Orm), mearch, marche, marshe (15th c.), AF. marche, north. OF. march(e, var. of mars Marce n.] (The month of) March. Also attrib.(a) c1420 Wynt. iv. 37.
Before hym Marche wes … The fyrst begynnyng off the yhere 1456 Hay II. 127/32.
[Spring] begynnis the xxij day of Marche 1490 Treasurer's Accounts I. 131.
Marche 1494 Ib. 245.
The xxv day of Marchis a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 341. 1513–14 Wigtown B. Ct. 40 a.
The viii day of Marght 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 38/2.
The thre borouing dais of Marche 1576 Reg. Privy C. II. 515.
Fra the first day of Marche quhill Midsomer a1578 Pitsc. II. 106/27 (1).
In the monetht of Marsh a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 380.
Better a March nob nor a Maii lob(b) 1472 Lennox Mun. 92.
The ellewynnit day of Merche 1479 Acts Lords of Council II. cxxxiv. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. , lxiv. ii. 1600-1610 Melvill 314.
Mertche 1641 Acts V. 304/2.
The tuentie thrid of Merch 1641 stilo scotico(c) 1657 Galloway P. 16 March.
Mairch
b. March-ale, a strong ale (? brewed or as brewed in March).Cf. e.m.E. March beere (1576–7), id.1535 Stewart 38041.
Quhair tha suld drink the michtie nobill wyne, With Marche aill and also doubill beir 1632 Lithgow Trav. 106.
Strong March ale surpassing fine aqua-vitæ
