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.
Martial, a. Also: martiall, -tyall, -cial(l, -ciale, -cyal(l, (mertiall, -ciall;) and Marschall. [ME. and e.m.E. marcial (Chaucer), -cyall, -tialle, marcill, -shall (16th c.), mershal (15–16th c.), F. martial, L. martiālis of Mars.]
1. Of or pertaining to war or battle.(a) 1513 Doug. vi. xv. 65.
Quhou gret murnyng of men … furth of the feildis marcyall [etc.] Ib. vii. iii. 73.
In marcyal [Sm. marciale] batale Ib. xi. xvii. 74.
Dedis marciall [E. marschall] Ib. iii. 22. 1531 Bell. Boece I. civ.
Thow marciall buke Id. Livy I. 90/24.
Mare with landwert staffis … than ony marciall wappynnys of armour 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 89.
Sang and dance & martiall tornamentis 1549 Compl. 4/8.
Quha vald considir the longinquite of his martial voyaige Ib. 6/25.
Repulsit … by the martial sciens of ȝour … fadir 1585 James VI Ess. 67.(b) 1492 Myll Spect. 272/15.
Nochtwithstanding his gret besynes in the factis merciall 1531 Bell. Boece I. 169.
He … conquest be merciall prowes and manheid Ib. 191.
Fra … sensuall plesouris to merciall werkis Ib. II. 142. a1578 Pitsc. I. 130/22.
The gloir of Inglands mertiall deidis
2. Of persons or their attributes: Apt for war or fighting, warlike, brave, valiant.1513 Doug. ix. xi. 50.
With curage marcyall Ib. xiii. i. 3.
This marciall prynce, this ryall lord Enee c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i. 261.
With martiall minde, as cruell campioun a1568 Scott xxx. 35.
With merciall myndis in doing that Mycht caus thair fais to dowt thame 1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii. 132.
His marciall manheid did mentein ȝour weiris a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (B.C.) 91.
Sum border men whais myndis at na tyme are ather martiall or bellicous bot onlie gevin to reif and spuilyie Ib. 370.
Geve he wald shaw himself, as a marciall man, worthie of that … honorable place 16.. Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II. 172.
[An] abill young martiall man, inclynt to grait vyce
