A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Postur(e, -our(e, Poustoure, n. Also: posteur, -ore, -er, poister, poystour, poustaur, -are, -er(e, powster, -oir, peoustewr. [17th c. Eng. posture (1605) attitude, relative position, condition, mental attitude, F. posture (late 16th c. in Godef. Compl.), contracted f. earlier F. positure, L. positūra position, posture.]
1. The disposition or relative position of things. a. The disposition of a person's body; physique.1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 300.
Ilk commander … according to everie mans habilitie and postour sall appoint to theme thair several wapouns and airmour fitting for theme to carye, viz.: to men of heich stature and of abilitie of bodye [etc.]
b. The state, condition, situation or circumstances of anything.1643 Stirlings of Keir 483.
Six … soiers … resoluit to expois tham seluis to the mersay of the sies … non of them could roue, vho in this poister intendit for Scotland 1650 Glasgow B. Rec. II 193.
Sik tyme … that the countrey be in sik a posture that thair may be frie tredding 1654 Douglas Corr. 266.
I doubt not bot your grace may have heard of my posture thorough Abercorn his misfortune 1667 Inverurie 344.
Finding the dangerous poustare the place was in for the tyme 1672 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 283.
That the fencable men … be in armes at the … interment of his corps, and that they convoy him in that postur therunto 1674 Sc. N. & Q. 3 Ser. III 185.
The pantings of her herte was quit auaye … and she had hir stomack in ane beter peoustewr then I hade 1699 Forrester Bishops' Claim I 92.
Else the apostles settled these churches in a very mank frame and lame posture
2. Of a person: One's carriage as reflecting an attitude or frame of mind, one's disposition at a particular time.1665 Highland P. III 34.
And as he came to me in a very strange poster with sword durk and pestole bended so I perceived him to be in deape fit of … destraction
b. In (a) suitable state or condition, or in (a) frame of mind, = situated, disposed, minded, to do something or const. noun clause.Cf. 17th c. F. (être) en (bonne) posture de (faire quelque-chose), to be favourably situated to.(1) 1645 Cuningham Journal 118.
Finding him not in posture to receive me in quality of a publique minister, I told him [etc.] 16.. Herries Mem. 76.
The Lord Ruthven had been two months in a posture to dye 1664 G.W.T. Omond Arniston Mem. (Edinb., 1887) 34.
I am bot new come hither, and not yet in a rite postur to sie any body ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II 230.
For Huntly was not in posture now for to gett a meeting midd waye(2) 1645 Lag Chart. 57.
Such cowrse as may put your freends in that postore that they may answer to his majestie
c. (To be) put out of one's postour, ? to be discomposed, put out of countenance. —1681 The Poor Man's Cup 7.
We will not be amazed when that comes to passe … or put out of our postour, when things do emerge with which we had laid our reckoning
3. A state of military readiness.Also posture of armes, of war, of defence, defensive posture, good posture, etc.(a) 1644 S. Leith Rec. 51.
That thair should be a postour of warr … for defence of forrane invasione 1648 Misc. Maitl. C. II 457.
Show how this kingdome is ordered to be put into a posture of armes 1649 Hist. Fragm. II 89.
They did condescend to a posteur of warre for our present defence to consiste of four hundreth men c1650 Spalding II 198.
And had his army … in good posture 1650 Johnston Diary II 22.
Memorandum. Letter to shyres for posture 1661 A. Jaffray Diary 28.
Then, having full possession of the house, we made fast the iron gate, and put ourselves in a posture of defence 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 216.
Ordour for puting this burgh in ane defensive postur 1666 Glasgow B. Rec. III 89.
That the townes people be putt in ane good postour for defence 1670 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 10 Jan.
To convein the haill leaders of the militia and take cognizance of the present postoure thairoff 1672 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 280.
That the inhabitants therof be in sutable postur and trained vp and exercised(b) 1661 Culross I 312.
The whole kingdome was presentlie to be put in ane pouster [pr. poustes] of militia 1667 Ib. 338.
This kingdome war put in ane powstoir of defence
b. In a military posture, in military formation, as an armed and disciplined body.(a) 1665 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 49.
All boddin in feir of weir … came in a military postur to Castle Stewart 1669 Ib. 3 Ser. III 27.
The persons underwrytten … did draw themselves up in a militarie poustoure Ib. 26.
Poustere(b) 1669 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III 24.
The persons underwrytten … armed with swords … did in a military and warlick poystour come up to the said poore lady
4. a. A physical situation, posture, attitude or pose.1627 Kellie Pallas Armata 24.
This posture, Advance or mount your picke, … is to bee used … in exercising their motions 1670 Lamont Diary 218.
[She] put in hir head betwixt two of the steps of the leather, and keiped that powster for a tyme 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 366.
Postur 1687 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XXVII 134.
But yet acuratly observeing all the rules of poustaur and motion before sett down [for excellence at golf] 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 247.
You did bring ane nolt best … and did sett it upon the outsyde of ane byre … in the same pouster as his cou stood within Ib.
You [an accused witch] did come west … ryding upon ane whit-faced calf, with ane of your legs on each syde therof, and quhen it was demanded you wher you had bein at such a tyme in such a pouster you answered [etc.] a1689 Cleland 35.
Moe different postures, Than's sewed on hangings, beds or bolstures 1696 Knoop & Jones Sc. Mason 84.
[The initiate was to learn from the youngest mason] the signe and the postures and words of his entrie
b. A sentry's post.1670 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III 657.
Androw Craig [sc. soldier of the garrison in Dumfries] being centurie at that tyme but distant from his statione, … he in his passione removed from his postoure and followed the said Thomas and [etc.] Ib. 659.
Andro Craig … did leave his postur againe and come [etc.]
