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(o)us, -os, adj. Also: prosprus; prospoures, prosseperowse. [e.m.E. and late ME prosperous (1445), -us (c 1460), -eux (1472–3), F. prospereus (15th c. in Godef.). Cf. Prosper adj.]
1. Consistently successful; flourishing; thriving.(1) 1515 Douglas Corr. 318.
To be pute in souer kepping for theyr prosperos estayte 1549 Compl. 20/13.
Prosperus men prouidis nocht to resist the occasions of the mutabiliteis a1568 A. Scott Bann. MS I p. 8/8.
Quhois workis on breid sall prosprus spreid a1568 Bann. MS 77 a/43.
Thocht thow … be prosperus a1578 Pitsc. I 48/16.
The pepill … said that sic ane marieage could never be prosperous a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 89. 1607 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 107.
I pray the Lord to gif ȝour maiestie … ane prosseperowse ryng 1651 Acts VI ii 669/1.
To pray for … a prospoures warr and happie peas(2) 1596 Dalr. I 6/11.
Nochtwithstandeng amang the mountanis and hiche cuntreyis, ates is mekle mair prosperous than quheit
2. Favourable, auspicious.1513 Doug. iii vi 203 (Ruddim.) (see Prosper adj. a).
Prosperus 1560 Rolland Seven S. 768.
All seuin … Past to espy the sternis … , To tak iornay gif it was prosperous 1570 Leslie 153.
Sayled with pleasand windis and prosperous vayage 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Dexter, richt or prosperous 1661 Stockholm New Year's Gift Title.
The authors most serious vvishes … of a prosperous neu year
