A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1500, 1587-1599
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Quhat-sa, Qwhat-, What-sa, pron. and adj. Also: -say. [Sc. form corresp. to ME whattse (Orm), what se (Layamon), hwat se (Ancr. R.), and quat-so (see Quhat-so), reduced f. OE swá hwæt swá f. hwæt Quhat pron.] = Quhatsumever in various senses. Also quhatsa that. —a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxii 127, 129.
For quhat-sa beste lykis hyme … Hyme thinkis beste quhat-sa it be a1400 Ib. xliii 560.
For sic poweste is tacht me til That I ma do quhat-say I wil 1412 Laing Chart. 24.
The forsaide lorde or his ayris qwhat sa thai be for the tyme 14.. Burgh Laws c. 29 (A).
Quhat sa merchand that has couerit his stal a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 511.
And thow mat me ony mair, cum efter quhat sa may, Thow and I sall dyntis deill 1587-99 Hume 19/70.
The eyes sa reddie are to see … what sa the fantasie wald
