A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1460
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Rebour(i)s, -bowris, Rabour(i)s, n. [ME reburs (Manning: v.r. robours), rebours (1340, thereafter appar. obs.), F. rebours (13th c.), earlier rebors (12th c.), only in the phr. a rebours, rebours adj. (1160), late L. reburrus having the hair brushed back. Cf. Reboursev. See also Rebous(e n.] Only in at (to) rebours, in the wrong, or opposite, way; perversely. —1375 Barb. xiii 486 (E).
He his sistre paramouris Luffyt and held all at [MS that] rebouris [C. rabous] Hys awyne wyff ?1438 Alex. ii 534.
Lytill succouris Can I se, for all is at rebours c1420 Wynt. ix 764.
Schyr Willame … hym send succowris, Ellis had all gane at rebowris [C. to rabours] c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 16686.
Bot all his battalle turnit was at rabouris [: succours]
