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.
Quotation dates: 1580-1635
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Preposterous, adj. Also: præposter- and -ouse, -ows, -us. [e.m.E. and ME preposterous (1542), -ouse (1552) contrary to nature, irrational, foolish, inverted in order, L. præposterus reversed, perverted, absurd. Cf. obs. F. prépostère (Cotgr.).] Of immaterial things: Contrary to the usual or accepted order; extravagant, absurd; irrational. — c 1580 Misc. Spald. C. II 334.
Be sic preposterus daling 1586 James VI in Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 108.
We marvell not a lytle of the lait preposterous and strainge proceadeur agains the quene our darrest mother 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 141/11.
The præposterouse humilitie of ane of oure puritane ministeris 1605 Acts Sederunt i 63.
Vtheris, who … living to preposterows and sinistrous means, labowrs, be unlawfull mids, to attein to promotion 1635 Hay Geneal. 90.
Your lordship hes to militat by your preposterous pitie with a moir noble
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"Preposterous adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/preposterous>
