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.
Monstruous, a. (adv.). Also: -uouse, monstruos, -uus, monstrowous, -owis. [ME. and e.m.E. monstruo(u)s (Chaucer), -uus, monstrowous, F. monstrueux (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. monstruōs-us, irreg. f. monstrum Monster n.1 Cf. also Monstr(o)us.]
1. That is contrary to the natural or normal order of things.1596 Dalr. I. 118/15.
Solon … said that the repub. quhilke … gyues libertie to al … wil … cum to a thing monstruous and seindle seine
2. Physically abnormal, malformed.1562-3 Winȝet II. 58/29.
Gif … ony thing be eikit to the numbir of the membris, or ocht tane fra the samin, force it is that other the hail body decay and perise or be monstruous a1578 Pitsc. I. 146/6.
Monstrowous
3. Of a grotesque (and freq. terrifying or repulsive) appearance.Freq. said of mythical monsters.Also having the nature or appearance of a mythical monster; and fig.1513 Doug. i. iv. 76.
The craggis quhar monstruus Ciclopes dwell Ib. viii. iv. 182.
That monstruos half deil wilde beste [sc. Cacus] Ib. xii. 59.
The monstruus goddis figuris of al kynd That honorit ar in Egipt or in Inde 1562-3 Winȝet I. 12/9.
Of the quhilkis ane we haue schawin the monstruus ydoll of auarice 1611-57 Mure Misc. P. i 104.
Ane monstruouse minatour
4. Unnaturally or grotesquely large; huge, immense, enormous. Also as adv., enormously, exceedingly.c1500-c1512 Dunb. xviii. 29.
And be I grit of quantetie Thay call me monstrowis of nature c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 425.
Moir grit expens is maid … Apon ane pair of prophane monstruus hose Nor wald do cleith ane hundreth of the pure 1596 Dalr. I. 61/27.
A gret and monstruous schip Ib. II. 388/16.
Thir monstruous fische 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 443.
A sturgion fish … 12 foot in length, a monstruous creaturadv. 1596 Dalr. I. 54/14.
Sum monstruous gret amang thame [the Scottish isles] lyis to the coste of Carrik and Galloway
5. Of unnatural or perverted habits or conduct; inhumanly cruel or wicked; atrocious.1533 Boece vi. i. 185.
The nobillis … dedeneȝit to obey sic ane monstruos man 1582 Declar. Causis 7.
That vyle & impudent woman ouer famous for hir monstruous doingis … neuer ceassing … to vex … the K. maiestie 1600-1610 Melvill 160.
The Guisians and the rest of these monstruus read-eattins in France quha celebrat that bludie drunken feast of Bartholomew in Paris 16.. Maidment Balfour Ballads 17.
Whose hellish plots … Point out their viperous brood and monstruous kinde 1690 A. Shields Grievances and Sufferings 21.
Those cruelties were monstruous for illegality and inhumanity
6. a. Of a person: That is outrageously wrong or in error. b. Of a practice: That is of a grotesque or extraordinary irregularity, outrageously wrong or absurd.a. a1538 Abell 114 a.
Bot & thai follow this monstruos abbet thai mon cast thare religios habet fra thame & [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet II. 62/29.
His [Pelagius'] monstruous disciple Caelestius denyit al mankynd to be bund with the … transgressioun of Adamb. 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 153/27.
Lat ws go to the purpose and certifie me quhat ȝour monstruous mes menis Ib. 171/23.
Sic monstruous ministeries blendit in ignorance
