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.
Quher(e, Wher(e, adv. and conj. Also: vher, uher; quheir. [e.m.E. and ME where, late ME and ME quere, early ME hwer(e, also whære (Orm), OE hwǽr, hwer, parallel form to hwár Quhare.] = Quhare.(a) 1513 Doug. iii iii 67 (1553).
[Now I remember only] quhere [Cassandra Ful oft maid mensioun of Hesperya] 1581 (16..) Bk. Univ. Kirk II 505.
For it is bott mockage to craue reformatioun quher siclike hes place 1615 Melrose P. 246.
In the tour, quher I must be countable c1616 Hume Orthog. 33.
In, they use with the place quher Ib. 2, 20. 1622-6 Bisset II 216/22.
Places of admirallis courtis and quhere they sall appeill Ib. 250/21.
In the first, quhere ane skipper … hyris ane steirrisman [etc.] 1628 Red. Bk. Menteith II 75.
Into Englande quhere it is lyk ynoughe he may be found at his brotheris house(b) 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (S.T.S.) 31/1.
Returne now where ye left a1605 Montg. Sonn. xxix 7.
The son of [Venus] sent Tua seuerall shaftis vher he of Delphos stood Ib. xlviii 2. 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas 1 329.
Wher 1638 Hamilton P. 4.
Uher the amunitione for the present is thatt uas sent c1650-1700 Descr. Zetland 15.
Save only … where it is thought some slaughter hath been done; as N. the Standing Stone of Tingwall, qr it is reported [etc.] 1668 Lauderdale P. II 103.
Uher churchis ar plantid 1669 Lamont Diary 214.
Some of the inches … wher bestiall were pastoring, wher overflowen(c) 1549 Lamb Resonyng 129/4.
Nichtbour, quheir be all the homagis that the Scottis kyngis maid … ? 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix 156.
Thay wist not quheir to hyde thame c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxii 3.
Your outuard gesture [etc.] … Decleris the invard secrettis of ingyne, Quheir is contenit sic verteuis hed and cair
