A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1513-1681
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Pir-, Pyrate, n.1 Also: per-, perr-; pirr- and -at(t(e, -ot(t, -et(t. [Late ME. and e.m.E. pyrate (Lydgate), pirat (1522), -ot(t(e, -at(t, pyraotte, med. L. (Eng.) pirata (1387), L. pirāta, Gk. πειρᾱτής. Cf. F. pirate (1448 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. A sea-robber; a pirate.sing. 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 55.
The pyrat pressys to peill the peddar hys pak c 1522 Id. in Doug. (Sm.) I. p. cx.
He has maid one Robert Bertoun, one verre pyrett and sey revare, comptrollar 1526 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 243.
Henry Bardinare indwellare in Lethe dilatit as ane see pyrate throw takin of certane schippis and gudis off frenndis c1550-60 Arundel MS. 281/89.
That is rever of saulis as pirat is in the sey 1565 Reg. Privy C. I. 336.
Pyrat 1578 Corr. M. Lorraine 445.
We understand that Johnne Hammyltoun of Kilbowy, pyrat, hes sauld his schip and past to Flanders to serve in the werisplur. 1538 Treasurer's Accounts VII. 91.
Pyrottis 1539 Ib. 182.
Pyrotis 1546 Reg. Privy C. I. 45.
Thai salbe haldin and repute as pirates and innymeis to the commoun weill 1563 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 168.
The inhabitaris … sal be … na hurdaris nor resettaris of thevis, pyrattis, brigandis and tulyeouris 1568 Buch. Indict. 34.
Thre fellows notorius pyratis awowit men and dependaris of the said Erll Bothuell 1572–3 Reg. Privy C. II. 178.
Pirattis brokin men and ungodlie personis 1583 Ib. III. 604. 1590 Paterson Ayr & Wigton I. 14.
Certane rubberis and pirattis being Scottis hieland men 1590 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 21.
The sowme of twa hunder mark upoun annuell to be gevin to William Sibbet skipper to pas aganis the Inglis pyrats [v.r. pirrettis] 1612 Reg. Privy C. IX. 327.
By reasoun of pyrotes of divers nationis whiche frequent the coast of Yreland 1615 Orkney Bp. Ct. (ed.) 26.
The incursiounes of pirrotis and utheris tumultuous persones 1631 Ritchie Ch. S. Baldred 228.
A man with a testimonial, robbed by pyratis 1667 Ellon Par. 128.
Haried be the Hollend pirrets 1681 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. 27.(b) 1554–5 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 298.
For cords to hang and bind uthir vj Inglis men peratts on the gallows of the Borrow Mure 1565–6 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 507.
The expensis maid upoun the tua perats was hangitt on the schoir of Leyth a1568 Weddirburne Bannatyne MS 240 a/44.
And fair Constans the quhilk … Was reft be fors be perrattis of the sie 1575–6 Reg. Privy S. VII. 75/1.
With power alsua … to big ane hous and fortrice upoun the saidis landis of Walay for sauftie thairof fra the Heland men, perattis and utheris invasionis
2. transf. A pirate-ship.1569 Treasurer's Accounts XII. 169.
To certane men of weir … being in reddines … to have past aburde upoun ane Inglis pirat lyand in Kingorne raid 1615 Criminal Trials III. 111.
To this same harborry where the pirott and the pryise lay
3. attrib. with schip. = 2 above.1571 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs I. 21.
That thair is certane piratt schippis in redynes in the hawin of Leyth 1574 Cal. Sc. P. IV. 683.
Ane pirate Inglish ship 1610 Denmylne MSS. in Highland P. III. 121.
The piratte ship takin by Neill Mccloyde of the Leuis 1614 Criminal Trials III. 298.
Pirott
4. adj. Of a ship: Engaged in piracy. But perh. a special application of 2 above.1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 177.
Ony schip fund passand betuix realmes without coquet is jugeit to be pirate and lesumlie may be tane be ony persone
