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: 1399-1438, 1490-1641, 1693-1699
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Proverb(e, -werb(e, n. Also: -veirb. [ME and e.m.E. prouerbe (Wyclif), pl. prouerbyys (Manning), F. proverbe (12th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. prōverbium an old saying, adage, proverb, in late L. also = a byword.] A proverb, in various usual applications.(The) Proverbis, the Book of Proverbs.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii 3286.
In this prouerb is na lesing c1420 Ratis Raving App. ii 22.
Tak kep to prowerbis quhare thou heris a1500 Henr. Fab. 512 (Bann.).
The proverb sayis [etc.] a1500 Ib. 2833. 1492 Myll Spectakle of Luf 288/8 (Asl.).
Quhat avalis all my proverbis examplis and techementis a1538 Abell 109b.
It wes als ane prowerb of him [James II] … at he gart the reche bus keip the pure wiffis kow 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 8880.
It is ane prouerb of the ald, … Let ane ȝoung man … Hane not his speich 1562-3 Winȝet II 8/35.
That the burgessis … suld remember on the auld prouerb 1572 Satirical Poems xxxiii 187.
The prouerb is: of palice, kirk and brig, Better in tyme to beit nor efter to big 1596 Dalr. II 360/14. 1641 Ferg. Prov. Pref. (S.T.S.) 3. 1693 Answer to Presbyterian Eloquence 74.
Ken ye no the Scots proverb, Little dowgs have lang tails(b) 1533 Bell. Livy I 197/27.
Ȝit Fabius … usit ane proverb [v.r. proveirb] saying [etc.](2) a1400 Legends of the Saints x 71.
As men in proverbe sais, Mare reuerens is gewine … To vekyt men … Thane to gud men c1400 Troy-bk. ii 590.
The which is sooth, syth as it is Inne-to proverbe seyd oft I-wys a1500 Henr. Fab. 2285 (Ch.).
For it is said in prouerb: ‘But lawte All vther vertewis ar nocht worth ane fle’ 1513 Doug. v Prol. 20. —a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i 19.
In old prouerbe we sing, Cumis littill gud of gaddering [etc.](3) 1490 Irland Mir. I 145/36.
And tharfor Salamone in the Prouerbis … sais [etc.] 1699 Old Kirk Chron. 81.
Three duzan Bybles … with some duzan Proverbs
