A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Of-before, adv. (and quasi-adj.) and prep. Also: off- and -befor, -befoir(e, -befoyr. [Of prep.; Before adv., prep., conj. Only Sc. Cf. Abefore and Obefor(e.]
1. adv. a. At an earlier time or on a former occasion; previously, formerly.For additional examples see Befor(e adv. 1 b.(a) 1375 Barb. xix. 260.
Of befor 1400 Maxwell Mem. I. 141. 1483 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 408.
He being of befor commandit … to haue mariit c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 213. 1518 Chart. Coupar A. II. 118.
Off befor 1528 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 210.
Indurand the termis contenit in the act of befor 1659 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 418.
Except such ar sealed this year and of befor 1665 Peebles B. Rec. II. 64.(b) 1537 Liber Dryburgh 281.
As vyis and wont was of befoyr a1578 Pitsc. I. 95/11.
Off befoir 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 170. 1666 Rothesay B. Rec. 116.
Being … callit twa sevrall dayis of befoir
b. Previous to a specific time, earlier. —1600 Crim. Trials II. 204.
Deponit he saw him thair tua dayis ofbefoir bot nocht that day
c. quasi-adj. Former, previous. —1528 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 210.
Villiem Vilsoune … resauit tennand to ane xvj part of Davis Dayne … and to the compleit of the termes of befor
2. prep. Anterior to, previous to, preceding.1485 Lennox Mun. 126.
In syk lyk wys as Robert Steward … had it of befor the said Charlis 1528 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 278.
To haif ful ingres … as he had of befor the alienacione
