A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Pregnant, Prignant, adj.2 Also: pringnand. [ME preignant (Chaucer), e.m.E. pregnaunte (1534), pregnant (1552), appar. MF preignant, pregnant (pregnante instance 1572, preignantes raisons 15 … in Godef. Compl.), pres. p. of preindre to press.] Of an argument, consideration, etc.: Pressing, weighty; compelling, convincing; evident, apparent, clear.(1) 1536–7 Sc. Hist. Rev. VII 358.
The saidis … pregnant caussis be ws … riplie considerit and found resonabill 1638 Baillie I 97.
Yet God … hes made … no pregnant infirmitie kyth in their answers 1650 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. LI (1975) 49.
Who verily suspected vpoun pregnant presumptions that shoe was instrumental … of his … vnthryving 1660 Cramond Kirk S. 10 June.
Finding him more and more obdured concerning that quhairof thair hes bein so many pregnant presumptions 1664 Robertson Cullen Ch. Ann. 82.(2) 1490 Irland Mir. II 79/1.
This autorite [sc. holy scripture] is richt fair and prignant and [etc.] a1538 Abell 97 a.
Paip Clement V … wes sa expert in expeditioun of erandis in halie kirk at wes pringnand that tyme at he wes chosing absent c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 879.
Perfitlie pance thir pointis last pregnant 1616 Melrose P. 262.
This allegeance being verie pregnant, and fund relevant to stay the said patent(3) 1611 Crim. Trials III 148.
It is ansuerit to the presumptioun … of the suffering James Cunninghame to pas away … that the samyn is nawayis pregnant aganis the persones pannellit, seing [etc.]
