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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.

Prolixt, adj. Also: -lix(e, -lixet, -lixit, -lixed; -lexed; -likis. [Late ME prolix (Lydgate), -lixe, F. prolixe (14th c. in Littré), L. prō-lixus extended, long, etc., appar. f. prō- and -lixus, p.p. of liquēre to flow.In forms with -it, -ed, the mute -t has been (wrongly) regarded as marker of a past participle.]

1. Of long duration or extent; protracted, lengthy.Freq. with ref. to a speech or writing, sometimes with the implication that it is over-long or wordy.Prolix vordis, lengthy discourse.(1) 1456 Hay I 7/12.
Be caus it war our lang and prolixt thing to count all Ib. 43/27. a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1293.
Beseik him [thé] to bring Out of this warld prolixit 1513 Doug. i Prol. 167.
He rynnys sa fer from Virgill … On sa prolixt and tedyus fasson 1525 Acts II 297/2.
The proces of justice airis is sa lang and prolixt that [etc.] 1531 Bell. Boece I v.
The frosty nicht, with hir prolixit houris 1533 Boece 182.
The prolixt maladie … anoyit him mekill 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter.
Quhilk forme of processe was sa lang and prolixt that in mony ȝeires … crimes passed vnpunished 1609 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 160.
It war langsum to trobill ȝour princlie caires with so prolixt ane frivolous purpois 1622-6 Bisset I 76/35.
Sua sall I indevoir … to … accompleis … ane [bettir and mair] prolixt wark anentis the foundamentall monumentis and antiquities of this … realme(2) predic. a1500 Colk. Sow iii 61.
To langar legendis that ar prolixt 1535 Stewart 23504.
His oresoun … wes so prolixt … And tydeus to ȝow also to reid 1562-3 Winȝet I 69/12.
Sum of our quæstiouns may appere … mair prolixt than becumis a1605 Montg. Misc. P. iii 48.
That longsome labour wold be ouer prolixt [: fixt, nixt] c1630 Scot Narr. 52.
Letters … I passe by as too prolix to be insert [etc.] ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II 125.
The rest of ther ansuer, which is terribly prolixe(b) 1595 Cal. Sc. P. XII 8.
[The letter … is] prolexed [and full of particular discourses]attrib. 1533 Boece 207 b.
Be ane prolixt harrayng he had complenȝeit the iniuris … done … to himself 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2666.
Thruche lawis consistoriall, Prolixt, corrupt and pertiall 1585 James VI Ess. 20.
All his difficile and prolixed poems 1594 Charteris Wall. Pref. 175.
I wald haue put end to this prolixit prolog gif [etc.] c1630 Scot Narr. 44.
A pithie, eloquent, and prolix letter was penned, to be presented … to the king a1651 Calderwood II 331.
Prolixe prayers, hindering the preaching of the Word(3) 1549 Compl. 12/10.
Thir prolixt vordis befor rehersit ar ane preparatiue

b. Common in the phr. (it) war (wer(e, etc.) (our(e) prolixt (to tell, etc.). c1420 Wynt. v 3453 (W).
To tell it it were oure prolixt c1450-2 Howlat 34 (A).
All thar names to nevyn … It war prolixt and lang 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 927.
The bounteis of that court dewlie to write War ouir prolixt 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 208.
He maid sindry lawis … quhilkis war our prolixt to insere in this buke 1542 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 30.
It war our prolixit to put all thingis in vrite 1549 Compl. 66/15.
The quhilk ar ouer prolixt to be rehersit 15.. Clar. v 127.
Prolikis 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 147. a1605 Montg. Misc. P. li 31.
Quhilk to depaint it wald be ouer prolixit [: annixit] 1587-99 Hume 75/227.
The haill abuse were our prolixt to tell

c. ? Tiresome, tedious (to listen to). — 1513 Doug. xiii ix 16.
That all to rakkyn prolixit war to heir

2. Of a person: (Given to) using more words than are necessary in speech or writing; long-winded. c1475 Wall. xi 1215.
In this mater prolixit I am almaist 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1462.
Thow art prolixt 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3861.
Iudges consistoriall, Quhilk hes bene sa prolixt and partiall To the great hurt of the communitie 1551 Hamilton Cat. 140.
Quhairto suld we be prolixt in this mater 1567 Sel. MSS Q. Mary 177.
We will not be prolixt in wreting 1608 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 317.
Pardone me gif I be ainie way prolixet