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: 1456-1689
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Muster, Mouster, v. Also: mustar(e, -ir, -yr(r, -ur; moustour, mowsture; mooster. [ME. and e.m.E. mustre (a 1300), -er (13th c.), -ir, -yr; mostre (c 1330), moustre (c 1412), e.m.E. also musture, OF. mostrer, moustrer. (On the mou- spellings see note to Muster n.).]
1. intr. (with reflex. sense). To show oneself, itself, etc., ? ostentatiously; to display or flaunt oneself etc.1533 Bell. Livy I. 251/5.
For the nobill palacis and towris musturit so aufully within the ciete that thai drewe the myndis of Equis and Wolchis fra all segeing 1533 Ib. 253/2.
Thir thevis musturit so to his sicht that he followit on thame quhil [etc.] a1649 Drummond I. 72/220.
This great and burning glasse that cleares all eyes, And musters with such glorie in the skies
b. In the following quot. it is not clear whether this sense or, ? more prob., the corresponding trans. sense ‘to display ostentatiously, to show forth’ is intended:1513 Doug. vi. i. 34.
Forgane Athenes, a litil our the see The ile of Crete he wrocht, musterand ful hie The kingis cite thar hecht Gnosya
2. intr. a. Of a body of troops: To form up in line of battle. b. Of a single warrior or party of troops: To take one's place in the battle array; to present oneself in the line of battle.In some instances with more or less admixture of prec. sense.a1500 King Hart 143.
So mirrelie thai muster and thai play 1513 Doug. x. xi. 99.
And all befor the forfront of the feild Richt haltandly as curageus vnder scheild Musturis this ymage 1513 Ib. xiii. 31.
Mezentius mustyrris in the feild With huge armour, baith speir, helm and scheild 1513 Ib. xii. vi. 41.
And haltandly in hys cart … He skippis vp and musturis wantonly Furth sprentand throu the feildis 1531 Bell. Boece II. 205.
At last the array was brokin … In the mene tyme two Louthiane men … maid tham to mowsture [L. se ostenderunt] as thay war cuming on the backis of Danis 1533 Id. Livy I. 161/29.
M. Valerius … beheld the feirs ȝoung Tarquyne musterand in the first bront of the Tarquinis oist 1535 Stewart 3928.
Thir tua kingis to moustour ȝeid agane
c. ? transf. To form up in line, to line up.It is not clear from the context whether this is intended as intr. or as tr.1513 Doug. v. xiv. 94.
Endlang the costis bay Thar eft castellis gan mustyr in array
3. tr. To cause (troops) to parade for enrolment, ascertainment of numbers, etc.1456 Hay I. 92/7.
Gif a capitane may send of his folk away that he has anys moustrit in felde 1582 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) I. 151.
Provyding that thay haiff thair men listit and redy to be musterit 1604 Chron. Perth 10.
The town mustart fourteen hundred men in armes and gude ecupadge 1645 Rep. Sir. R. Menzies MSS. 698.
Mustart 1689 Douglas Chart. 345.
Each companie … is to enter in pay after the same is mustared compleat … the twentie two day of Appryle
b. intr. Said of the troops or militia: To parade for enrolment, inspection of arms, etc.1625 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 151.
In armis to mouster upon the 28 of December nyxt 1633 Maxwell Mem. I. 228.
The morne, the towne of Edinburgh moosteris and makis swndrie bonie pastymis 1666 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 229.
The haill inhabitants fensible persones to muster and conveine in armes in the links 1669 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 2 Oct.
The militia regement are to mouster shortlie
4. In various transf. and fig. uses. a. intr. To assemble, gather (into a body), form. b. tr. To call up (resources); to amount to (a specified number).a. c1611–c1617 Mure Early Misc. P. i. 88.
Sua, now to loue, now contrairely inclyn'd, a field of fancies musterd in my mynd a1649 Drummond II. 62/424.
The dust in seuerall heapes Takes life, and mustereth into humane shapesb. 1644 Shetland Witch Trial in Hibbert Shetland Islands (1822) 601.
Has given yourself … to serving the devill … that you will not muster power nor will cast off the devill sa mutch as … to repeat the Lordis Prayer 1662 Forbes Cantus (ed. 1666) liv.
You [stars] mustur number as the sand