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: 1500-1568
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Patter, -ir, Pater, v. [ME. and e.m.E. patre(n, pater(e, patter (15th c.), p.t. patred (c 1394), f. ME. pater (14th c.) = Pater-noster n.] a. intr. To repeat prayers, also incantations, mechanically, indistinctly, etc. Also, to patter (up)on bedis. b. tr. To repeat (prayers) rapidly or mechanically. —a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiii. 18 (B).
Sum patteris with his mowth on beidis That hes his mynd all on oppressioun 1535 Stewart 12424.
Fra mony tempill … The preistis come to pater and to pra … Into the loving of thair godis all 1558-66 Knox III. 103.
I mene not … to patter upon beidis a1568 Bannatyne MS 94 a/32.
And preistis mycht pattir & pray thair fill —b. 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 194.
Requiem eternam fast thay patter 1567 Ib. 201.
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