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.
Primros(e, n. Also: prime-, prym(e)- and -rois; prumros. [Late ME and e.m.E. prymerose (1413), primerose, also prima rose (once, 1486), e.m.E. primrose (1523), etc., of uncertain origin.Presum. corresp. to early OF primerose (12–13th c. in OED) ? cowslip, ? primrose, and med. L. prima rosa (15th c. in Latham) ? daisy, ? primrose.]
The primrose.a1500 Henr. Fab. (O.U.P.) 2836.
The blaberyis thocht thay be sad off hew Ar gadderit vp quhen primeros [Bann. prumros, H. prymerois] is forsakin Ib. 1336.
Prymeros, -rois, prumros c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 192 (M).
Quhair thow lyis soust in saufferoun … Pouderit with primros [B. prymros] savorand of no clowse 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 122.
Gymp gerraflouris … Fresch prymros, and the purpour violet a1570-86 Maitl. F. lix 18.
As schadow in the sonnis beme Or primrois in the winter schone 15.. Comrie Hist. Sc. Medic. I 189.
Take the joyce of prymrose, and the mylke of … ane kow [etc.]attrib. — c1590 Fowler I 340/54.
The wenches spoyle the motlaye grounde And primrose garlandes plett
