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.
Prefix, v. Also: prefixe. P.p. prefixit, -ed, prefexssit, prafixed; prefixt. [Late ME (Lydgate) and e.m.E. prefix, p.t. and p.p. prefixed, OF prefixer (1392 in Godef. Compl.).]
1. tr. To fix, settle or appoint beforehand (a time, also a place).(1) 1531 Bell. Boece I 180.
The confiderat pepil rasit thair armyis at the day prefixt Id. Livy II 197/11.
He was absent at the day prefixt to him Ib. 219/24.
On ane day prefixt 1580 in Exch. R. XXI 546.
At the day to be prefixt be the precept to be direct to him c 1584 Maxwell Mem. 155.
To cum … the day prefexssit(2) 1589 Douglas Corr. 241.
I could nocht haue the leissour to prefixe ane certane day to hold [etc.] 1590 J. Maitland in Calderwood V 84.
And no certane day prefixed to his loosing [sc. from Denmark] a 1600 W. Gedde in Edinb. Univ. Laing MS. iii 522 (Calligraphy Specimens) fol. 1.
For thow hast prefixit aine tyme a1670 Scot Staggering State 61.
He was … sentenced to want the head, but no time prefixed when 1683 Fountainhall Decis. I 238.(3) 1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II 199.
That thai sett and proclame wappinschawingis … and prefix and lymite ane convenient place within thair said burgh [etc.]
2. a. To prepare beforehand, to arrange in advance.1456 Hay II 101/9.
The quhilk is throu divine sapience prefixt and ordanyt to be sa wele … that [etc.] 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 243.
It is fully prefixed amonge the Skottes that sume one of them … shulde … slee you with a dagger
b. To set (one's heart) on doing (to do) something.a1561 Norvell Meroure 57 b.
My vailȝeande heart was prefixt and set To see the whole worlde and it imbrace
3. To put before or at the beginning (of a book etc.), to put at the beginning.1588 King Cat. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 206/8.
Thair kalendar prafixed to thair new translated Bibles 1644 Acts VI i 129/1.
Thir words falloweing to be prefixt
