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: 1590-1689
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Nobilitat, -ate, v. P.t. nobilitat. P.p. nobilitat, -ate, -ated. [e.m.E. nobilitate (1538), after the 17th c. only Sc., L. nōbilitāre: cf. Nobilitat,ppl. a.]
tr. To ennoble. a. To raise to the rank of titled nobility, confer a title upon; also, to raise (a noble) to a higher rank of nobility. b. fig. c. To bring renown to, make illustrious; to lend distinction to, to dignify.a. 1596 Dalr. I. 223/18.
He nobilitat thame with armes 1596 Ib. 293 marg.
Hai is nobilitat and now a famous stock 1633 Wemyss Chart. 223.
In the which title, honour [etc.] … his maiestie … investes and nobilitates the sayd [etc.] 1639 Ib. 225.
To preferre … the said Lord Wemes to ane higher title … and hes invested and nobilitat him [etc.] c1650 Spalding I. 105.
The Lord Deskfurde about this tyme wes maid Erll of Fyndlater, whereat the Lord Ogiluy took exceptioun, being narrest the stock … and nobilitat before him 1651 Lamont Diary 30.
This yeare ther were sindrie of the gentrie nobilitat 1670 Lauder Jrnl. 230. 1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 31.
Gairlies, the ancient residence of the lairds of Gairlies before that family was nobilitatedb. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 98.
Ye will find that Christ has not set down His institution to nobilitate the eiements 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 191.
These nobles whom Jesus Christ hath nobilitat indeed and declaired sensiblie to be worthie of that title of nobilitiec. 1626 Garden Worthies 10.
There, thow with thy youths & yoke, Most nottablie nobilitat thy stock 1626 Ib. 125.
If noble birth Nobilitats or more renouns thy name 1647 Thomas Melvill in Melvill lxxii.
Sueit … streames … Ye sall … Nobilitated be 1689 Buchanan's De Jure Reg. 56.
Thy merchants worth nobilitates The wealth he gets by trade; Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 162. [He] thought him to be nobilitate by the slaughter of a tyrant
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"Nobilitat v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/nobilitat_v>


