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.
Quotation dates: 1450-1599
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Ostend, v. [Late ME. (c 1450) and e.m.E. (1590), L. ostendĕre.]
1. tr. To show, display, exhibit.To ostend one's style (stylis), to display one's splendour or power.(1) c1500 Makculloch MS iii. 8.
Thow wel of grace, ostend thi face, quhen ded sal ws persew 1490 Irland Mir. II. i 35/1.
The cheptur subsequent schawis and ostendis [etc.] a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 250 (Asl.).
This leif schawis a plesand portrature For till ostend the stait of innocens 15.. Clariodus v. 885.
He gart his armigers ostend The creddill of gold(2) c1450-2 Howlat 709 (A).
Quhar sic statis will steire, thair stylis till ostend a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 153 (Asl.).
Quhen sall thow treuth ostend thi staitlie style … Allace to lang ȝe stand now in exile a1499 Ib. 185.
And eike ȝe nobillis ȝour stile for till ostend a1499 Ib. 724.
Crist … sall fra the hevyne discend … With glore of angellis his style for till ostend
b. To show in speech or writing, to explain, narrate or declare. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 12967.
And till him hes ane vther pistill send As efterwart I sall ȝow here ostend 1489 Acts II. 222/1.
All personis that clamit … suld cum to the nixt parliament and thar ostend and schew quhat richt thai haid to the taking of the sammyn
c. ? To declare, or ? to make (war). c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 14968.
The King was gentill and na were wald ostend Quhill first [etc.]
2. To exhibit or present (a document) for scrutiny in a matter of law. 1450 Ayr Chart. 28.
Comperit the commissaris of Are ande Irwin … ostendande certane articlis and clamys debatabil of thaire fredomys 1509 Perth Guildry MS. 475 (26th May).
And this assedatioun salbe ostendit in endentur wis … & interchangeit efter the forme of the ald assedationis 1532 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 62.
The quhilkis personis … ar condampnit in ane amerciament of curt for the nocht comperance to the samyn and ostendeyng [charteris and evidentis] 1532 Ib. 67, 69. 1536 Ib. 141.
The quhilk … acquitans said Archbald desirit to be in jugment ostendit … the quhilk being producit [etc.] 1551 Protocol Book of Sir John Cristisone 452.
The said Besse is court fre … befoir juge competent to ostend the samen [assedation] offerit
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"Ostend v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ostend>
