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.
Prosper, -ir, v. Also: -ere. [Late ME and e.m.E. prosper (c 1460), -ere, F. prospérer (14th c. in Littré), L. prosperāre to cause a thing to succeed, to render fortunate, also absol.; in late L. also = to propitiate (God), passive to prosper, f. prosper Prosper adj.]
1. intr. Of a person or thing: To flourish, thrive; to be prosperous or successful.(1) 1470 (15..) Yester Wr. 70.
Our will is that the said David aeris prospir and procede to his heretage 1526 Douglas Corr. 343.
Gif [they] … prosper in thayr malicius and perversit opinionis 1535 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 429.
That the ayris of Caskebenne neuer prospere for the thinggis ye do to me a1538 Abell 52 a.
Cormayn … prospert litill c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 378.
Wald thow further and prosper in thy wais 1567 Sempill Sat. P. viii 19.
He sall prosper in dispyte Off thé(2) 1456 Hay I 294/24.
His realme sall nocht prosper but … grete pestilencis 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 43.
The commoun peiple wes in gude hoip of greit vertu[s] to prosper with the tyme a1578 Pitsc. I 321/15.
Nothing prosperit weill witht the king aganis the said earle a1585 Maitl. Q. lxv 116.
Or ellis gud labouris could not prosper ill(3) c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 88 marg.
Osanna is als mekill as to say, Gyff health, prosper, gud lucke
2. tr. To cause to succeed, flourish or prosper.Cf. Prospering ppl. adj.a1500 Bk. Chess 131.
Or he wald se the foull lyf vicious Prosper incres without correctioun … He tuk out baith his eyne 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 35.
Be in gude hoip that he sall … prosper ȝour gude actioun c 1575 Waus Corr. 110.
The Lord prosper thair pakkis 1622-6 Bisset I 18/12.
Richt excellent … monarche … Quha God mote prosper be his moist blissed grace
