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.
Othe, Oith, Oath, n. Also: oth(t, oithe, oythe, oathe, ooth, oethe. [ME. and e.m.E. oth(e, ooth, e.m.E. oath, replacing Athe.] An oath.Also comb.For examples with qualifying words, as oath of abjuration, allegeance, assurance, calumné, fidelité, intrants, obligatioun, party, purgacioun, supremacy, verity; oath of office, parliament; bodily, corporal, grete, promissory oath; coronatioun, national oath, see also the qualifying nouns and adjectives.(a) a1500 Lanc. 2231. 1547 Douglas Corr. 165.
According to ther othe and promys made 1553–4 Knox III. 396. a1578 Pitsc. I. 253/33. 1580 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxx.
This our confession, promise, othe and subscription 1594 Cal. Sc. P. XI. 494.
[He swears] the grett oth [etc.] 1601 Elphinstone Mun. 31.
To receave his othe for the confirmation of the peace 1611-57 Mure Son. x. 3. 1651 Dunferm. Hammermen MS. p. 57.
Hath given his oth of fidelitiecomb. 1599 Maxwell Mem. II. 9.
The day of his knichting … and … his othe geuing(b) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 503.
Thei maid hym sweir the great oith of fidelitie that [etc.] 1576 Douglas Corr. 207.
I desyred the lard … to affyrm his oythe upon his honour 1614 Highland P. III. 164.
The oithes and promisses of the rebellis(c) 1601 Dysart Rec. 48.
Upon his oath judiciallie sworne 1617 Acts IV. 537/1.
The justices of peace … sall proceid by witnessis by oathe of pairtie a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 273.
The oath of calumnie 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xcvii. 1639 Baillie I. 179.
That in the oath of intrants … there be no clagg to trouble their conscience 1639 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 691.
Contraire to ane burgess oathe 1649 Acts VI. ii. 363/1.
Their oath de fideli administratione as Lords of Sessioun 1650 Ib. 630/2.
Anent the coronatione oath to be givin be his Majestie and subiectis 1661 Ib. VII. 7/1.
The oath of alledgeance whairof the tenor followes 1681 Stair Inst. iv. xliv. 16.
But the tenor and true meaning of the oath of calumny is [etc.] 1685 Black Bk. Kincardineshire .
All of them refused the oath of alleadgeance and mannie … refused … to swear the oath of abjuratione 1687 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 116.
Quhen Forglens oath of calumnie was craved, he did not depone that he had not taken up the said cup in jest 1690 Orkney Antiq. Soc. II. 75.
Has taken ther oathes for ther faithfull administratione 1693 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI. 34.
By … taking the oath of alledgance and assurence(d) c1400 Troy-bk. 1426.
He had falsly Brokyn hys feyth and all hys bond Of hys ooth(e) 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 137.
Grit oethes he sweirs, with feinyit face, That [etc.]
