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.
Oliphant, Olyphant, Olifant, n. Also: olymphant. [ME. olifant (c 1205), -faunt, olyfant, -font, olifunt (Chaucer), e.m.E. olyphaunt (Caxton), olyfaunte, oliphant (1555), OF. olifant. Cf. Elephant.]
1. An elephant. = Elephant n. 1.c1420 Wynt. i. 752 (W).
His taill as oliphantis are Ib. iv. 1335.
Olifantis Ib. i. 806. 1456 Hay I. 47/24.
Olyphantis c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 5919.
Oliphantis wele sex skore in ane front With somer castell full of Syreanis Ib. 10690.
Five hundreth olymphantis to battalle dichtis a1500 Henr. Fab. 892 (Bann.). c1490 Porteous Noblenes 170/6. a1500 Colk. Sow i. 448. a1500 Bk. Chess 1768. a1538 Abell 14 a.
400 oliphantis with towris on thair bakis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2995.
2. Ivory. (Cf. Elephant n. 2.)c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 3343.
Thay blew thare bewgillis of bane and oliphant
