A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rath(e, Raith, adj. Compar. rather; superl. rathest. [ME (a1400) and e.m.E. rath(e, raith (1651), Rathe adv.] Quick or hasty; prompt; urgent; eager; vehement.c1450-2 Howlat 835 (A).
The tuchet gird to the golk … Raif his taile fra his rig with a rath [B. rathe] pleidcompar. a1500 K. Hart 855.
But smirk or smyle, bot rather for to smvresuperl. 1556 Lauder Off. Kings Contents.
Vnto quhose actionis, in speciall, suld kyngis geue rathest attendence 1560–1 Cal. Sc. P. I 510.
[The matter shall be laid before the Queen's Majesty, whose command what she thinks] rathest [shall be obeyed]
b. ? Disturbed, distressed.a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1129.
The roy ramand ful raith, that reuth wes to se c1450-2 Howlat 859 (A).
Than rewit thir riallis of that rath mane
