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.

Perseverance, n. Also: persewer-, -suer- and -ans. [ME. and e.m.E. perseueraunce (Rolle), -ance (1557), F. persévérance (12th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. persevērāntia perseverance, also transf. long continuance. Cf. Persever(e v.] Steadfastness of purpose or endeavour; perseverance. Also in fig. context. c1490 Porteous Noblenes 89 (Ch. & M.).
The xii vertu in ane nobil man is perseuerance 1533 Bell. Livy II. 109/10.
He belevit his colleig did this alanerlie to assailȝe his perseverance Arundel MS. 242/139.
Grant me sterk perseverance into thi haly seruice 1562-3 Winȝet I. 135/4.
Thai perseuerit stiflie in thair purpose … with sa grete persuerance on bayth the sydis a1578 Pitsc. I. 103/20.
Wtheris … reprochit the fortiefiearis … of him in sic perversit persewerancefig. a1568 Bann. MS. 228 b/63.
Hir pantonis of persewerans

b. The action of maintaining, or preserving, a custom. — 1504 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 135.
The bailȝeis … auisit for the vphaldin and perseuerans of the auld … rit of the said burgh