Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Overluke, v. Also: ovir-, ower- and -luik, -look. [e.m.E. and ME. (Chaucer) ouerloke, overlook(e. Cf. Ourluke v.] tr.

1. fig. To look over and past without seeing, to refrain from observing, to pass over, ignore, disregard. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2440.
Quhat is the caus the common weil is crukit? Becaus the common-weill hes bene overlukit 1568 Lyndesay Pref. 9.
Bot althocht men wink at this, and ouirluke it, ȝit he sitts abone that seis it 1570 Sat. P. xvi. 9. 1572 Ib. xxx. 199.
The King Roboam raschely did ouirluik The auld wyse counsall, and the fulische tuik 1584–5 Crim. Trials I. ii. 140.
Besyde money vtheris tressonabill offensis ouerlukit in ȝow 1650 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 484.
God having … furnished him with resolutione to overlook the reproches of men, and to behold him for whois caus he suffered

b. To pass over, disregard, esp. to fail to take action against, allow to go unpunished (a wrong-doer). 1570 Sat. P. xxi. 9.
Thir mischant murtherars … Thay seme to be ouerluikit Seing our lordis sa lang ly still 1573–4 Reg. Privy C. II. 347.
Nevir thinking to have bene put at for payment of his saidis thridis, in consideratioun that frome the begynning he had bene owerlukit and not preissit with payment thairof 1603 Elgin Rec. II. 115.
Agnes Alues accusit … upoun houpe of forbeiring the lyk scho is ouer luikit at this tyme 1698 S. Ronaldshay 70.
That he … connives at the grossest profanation of the Sabbath day, overlooking any of his parishioners for fishing therupon

2. a. To cast the eyes rapidly over, skim over, survey briefly. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1640.
Moyses, in his first buke, That story lychtlye did ouer luke: Off hym no more he doith declare, Except [etc.]

b. Of a place: To afford a view of. 1632 Lithgow Trav. 428.
Goatfield Hill … ouer-looketh our Westerne Continent

c. To look past or beyond. 1636 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I. 160.
If great men be kind to you, I pray you overlook them; … Christ but borroweth their face