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.
Murther, -ire, -ur, Murder, n.2 (See also murthour-aith Murther n.1 1 e). [OE. myrðra. Only Sc.] A murderer. = Murtherar n. —a1400 Leg. S. iii. 81.
[A]ne woman was … That wedyt was wilfully With ane murthire & was with barne With hyme a1500 Henr. Fab. 576 (Bann.).
Nay, murther theif and rivere, stand on reir c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rom. Prol. 339/16.
As we see be experiens in mony murthurres and theiffis, quhilkis … eftir thai haif eschappit, dois ewin the sam agaynne a1578 Pitsc. I. 52/7.
Manteinners of theiffis and murtheris 1596 Dalr. I. 193/17.
The cytharist, and the vthir twa murtheris, war takne, and … reiuen betuene horsses 1606 Stewart Mem. 118.
Johne Stewart … Alexander Stewart … murtheris of vmquhile Johne Stewart 1658 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 197.
Depones she … hard ane of them call uther murder
