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.
Preservative, Pre-, Praeservatife, n. [Late ME (1466) and e.m.E. preseruatyf(f)e, preservative, f. ME (Trevisa) and e.m.E. preseruatyue, preservative adj., F. préservatif (13–14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), med. L. preservativum n. (a 1452).] Medecine that protects against or prevents illness or an instance of this; (a) prophylactic. = Preserve n. a, Preservatio(u)n n. 4. —1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 12.
Without thay be euacuat … or purgit … or sic corruptioun expellit be … hulcer quhilk is leist sure preseruative 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 44/1.
As for a preseruatife aganis this leprosie Ib. 79/4.
& for præseruatife againis thaire [the Puritans'] poison
