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: 1375-1513, 1567-1598
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Misfar(e, Misfair, v. Also: mysfar(e, -fair. P.t. misfure, mysfur; mysferde. P.p. mis-, mysfarne. [ME. and e.m.E. misfare, mysfare, p.t. (north. ME.) misfard (Cursor M.), p.p. misfaren (14th c.), OE. misfaran, ON. misfara.]
1. intr. To fare ill, come to grief, miscarry, fail to prosper. b. In the passive: To have miscarried, to be brought to ruin.a1400 Legends of the Saints xxi. 197.
& his fadir fore doule & wa He trewyt in the se mysferde c1420 Wynt. iv. 1006 (W).
Vnfortoune maid him misfaire 1456 Hay I. 241/23.
Thai sall mysfare throu the vengeaunce of the clamour of the pure peple 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 232.
Do ȝe the contrair, ȝour housis will misfairb. 1456 Hay II. 24/29.
Gif it be evill done, to gerr a knycht be misgovernyt and mysfarne throu evill governaunce a1500 Prestis of Peblis 568.
And how the cuntrie throw him was misfarne Throw ȝong covnsel
2. To go astray, go wrong, err, transgress.a1500 Henr. Orph. 329 (Ch. & M.).
Than perfyte reson wepis wondir sare, Seand oure appetite thusgate mysfare a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 282.
That pouerte gar thame nocht mysfair a1568 Bannatyne MS 226 b/29.
So for hir lufe so lykly is to misfair
3. Of an enterprise or venture: To go amiss, miscarry, fail, come to nought (on the person concerned).1375 Barb. x. 529 (E).
For it wes hys ententioun To put hym till all awentur Or that a sege on hym mysfur c1420 Wynt. viii. 2254 (W).
Quhill he wes out of the land, All misfure in to thare hand 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 66 (Sm.).
Now war me laith my lang laubour mysfur
4. tr. a. To destroy, impair, bring to ruin. b. To do amiss, mismanage.a. 1456 Hay II. 53/4.
Be faith men has esperaunce, cheritee, and leautee … and fault of faith mysfaris all thir thingis c1590 J. Stewart II. 99/29.
In vildernes … Quhair he did misfair His fortitud vith monie brainles brall c1590 Ib. 148/12.
In thair snair thay ay misfair all thing 1598 Melvill Propine 32.
Sleuthis perverts & misfaris alb. 1461 Liber Pluscardensis I. 384.
He that all [h]as made … Nathing mysfaris, bot all dois for the best a1578 Pitsc. (1728) 172.
He shall misfair the government and guidment of his country
