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: 1438-1513, 1569-1599
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Prest, adj. and adv. [ME and e.m.E. prestore compar. (c 1290), prest (1297), preest (c 1400), preste (c 1475), ready, alert, close at hand, also adv. readily (1297–1558), OF prest (11th c. in Littré; mod. F. prêt), late L. præstūs ready, f. earlier L. præstō (præstū) adv. near at hand, in readiness. Cf. Pres v.2]
A. adj. Ready for action or use; prepared (to (for to)) do something. b. Alert; eager.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii 347.
To fecht with Indeans mak we prest a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 408.
Out of Paris proudly he preikit full prest [: kest, rest, drest] Intill his harnes all haill his hechtis for to hald c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ix 124.
His … men … Wallace gart ray in to thar armour prest [: rest] a1570-86 R. Hudson Maitland Folio MS clxxxii 5.
He was ay prest Goddis treuth to plant alwey c1590 Fowler I 38/48.
Thair wes I lykwyse prest in armes to combat on the ground 1587-99 Hume 19/66.
Quhilks dois their office execute, maist promptlie but delay, As instruments and organis prest thy will for to obay(2) a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 468.
His pulanis full prest of that ilk peir c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace x 197.
Wallace … Held wp his handys with humyll prayer prest 1513 Doug. ii vi 10.
I … start on feit … With eris prest stude thar als stil as stone 1513 Ib. iii viii 18.
B. adv. Readily, promptly; quickly.1513 Doug. vi ii 5O.
Godly Eneas begynnys als prest And said [etc.] 1513 Ib. xii xi 124.
He … from hys cart blent to the cyte prest [: kest] c1590 Fowler ii 38/39.
Thy toung dois prowe, in naming me so prest, That [etc.]