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: 1420-1586
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Prow, n. Also: prowe; prou. [ME and e.m.E. prov (c1290), pru, prow (both Manning), pruu, prowe, OF pru, prou (earlier prod, prot, prut, prout) profit, advantage, subst. use of OF prou adj. (= ME prow adj.), later OF preu, mod. F. preux, late L. prōdis, neut. prōde = the first element in L. prōd-esse to be profitable, to do good; also ME prew (once, Manning), a parallel form of this. Cf. Proud(e adj., also Prowesn.] Advantage, profit, benefit; (one's) good.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii 7627.
Beaushir, to meit ȝon bachleir Is nocht thy prowe c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 2635.
Thai … said it was nocht his prowe To haue knawlege of his ending as now — c1420 Wynt. vii 666 (W).
He … gert thaim bow Till his bidding and his prow c1460 Regimine Principum 139 (Marchm.).
Quhen … public prow passit in diuisioune, Thair [Romans] grete glore turnit in desolacioune a1568 Bannatyne MS 77a/22.
Thy pelf thy prow thy gold thy riche array [etc.] … Spreidis nocht of thé in Appryll nor in May a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxxi 35.
Pertlie I pretend & preis aganis the prow & ay intend That way to wend(2) ?1438 Alex. ii 2674.
This counsell is maist for ȝour prow c1420 Wynt. vi 2244 (W).
My purpos haill is now To pas with thé for myn avne prow 1456 Hay I 294/23.
It sall nocht be for his prowe a1500 Golagros and Gawane 269.
Be the pilgramage compleit I pas for saull prow a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i 43.
And he … did by … A littill pig for his prow 1535 Stewart 24425.
That he wrocht ay for his plesour and prow a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS lxxx 14.
Vpon my hip I haue ane clout Quhilk is nocht pleysand for my prow a1585 Maitland Maitland Quarto MS xxv 74.
Bot for thair awin greit proffeit and thair prow — c1450-2 Howlat 971 (A).
Ȝe princis prentis of pryde for penneis & prowe That pullis the pure ay … I warne ȝow 1456 Hay I 116/35.
Mare for pride na for prow c1460 Regimine Principum 115 (Marchm.).
Quhen kingis settis thaim for prov particulare [etc.] a1568 Scott i 215.(3) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 10397.
Of his dedis thare sall [? for salbe] litill prow [: vmbeschew]
b. ? = Prowes n. — c1450-2 Howlat 911 (A).
The pape and the patriarkis and princis of prow
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"Prow n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/prow_n>
