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.
Ratherest, adv. [Late ME (c1420) and e.m.E. ratherest, Rather adv.] Soonest, as a matter of choice; most particularly or preferably; most of all. —1570 Bann. Trans. 49.
I discoursed within my awin hart what thing ratherest to doe for my releif 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 39.
Bot of hir self I had ratherest beleif hirself Ib. 54. 1581 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 479.
That the Assemblie declare … in quhat place they wisch them ratherest to serve a1651 Calderwood VII 76.
And therefore, perhaps, has wisdom himself made choice of this sort of governement ratherest
