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.
Overpas, v. Also: ovir-, ower- and -pass(e. [e.m.E. and ME. (1297) ouerpasse(n, overpassi. Cf. the earlier Ourpas v.]
1. tr. Of a sensation or emotion: To affect (a person) temporarily.c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxiv. 18.
Sic deidlie dwawmes … Ane hundrithe tymes hes my hairt ouirpast 15.. Clar. iv. 1388.
Quhan that ane stound or twa had him owerpast a1578 Pitsc. I. 70/27.
The pepill … efter the heigh furie ower past thame, they desirit to be at hame
2. Of a person: To spend, get through (a period of time), also in a certain manner.1531 Bell. Boece I. 142.
Agricola, occupyit with thir and siclik besines, ouir-past the fourt winter Ib. 153. Ib. II. 13.
To ouirpas our dayis in miserabill sleuth
3. To ‘go over’ mentally, to consider, dwell upon.1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 246.
I shall from henceforth all the rest of my years walk overpassing the bitterness of my soul
4. To leave out of account or unremarked, to omit to mention.1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 32.
Yit I can nocht overpasse with silence the cheif conspiratour 1675 Sel. Biog. II. 90.
I overpass common mercies, and mention one that was very remarkable
b. To pass by, ignore (an opportunity).1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 42.
He overpassed not so fitt ane opportunitie
5. To go beyond, in some respect.a. To transgress or ‘overstep’ (a law). b. To surpass. c. To take precedence over.a. c1590 Fowler II. 72/17.
The natiue and borne lord is sufficientlye … able to vphold his estate while he ouerpassis not the lawes and ordinances off his predicessarsb. 1596 James VI Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxxiv.
In a thing ame I suire he ouir passis thaime allc. 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV. 45.
Thair ar divers contests amongst the borrows for place in parliament: as Glasgo will ryd with Edinburgh and overpass Sterling, Lithgow, St Andrews. Invernes wold ryde with Ayre and so overpass sex other borrowes
6. intr. To go across, to cross.15.. Clar. ii. 11.
Or ȝe ower pas ȝe sall have mair adoe
7. Of a period of time, a state of affairs: To pass (away), come to an end.1531 Bell. Boece I. 14.
Efter that this day wes ouir past 1558-66 Knox II. 282.
Till that his phrenesy be over past 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 33.
That, sic ane passioun overpassit, thai wald with tyme remembir thame selffis
8. To lat (something) overpas, to let go by unnoticed, to omit to heed, ignore.1535 Stewart 61011.
[Trowand] sic thing wnmanifest than wes [Becaus] the king he leit it ay ouirpas 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5818.
And let sic quyet paukis ouir pas And sum thing say of Ypocras a 1589 Maxwall in Paisley Mag. (1828) 383.
Syne rysis wp and lattis his grace ower pas
