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.
Refute, v. Also: -foot. P.p. refute. [e.m.E. refute to refuse, reject (once, 1514; thereafter appar. obs. in this sense), to confute, F. réfuter (1330 in Larousse), earlier (980) refuder, L. refutāre to repel, repress, rebut.] tr. a. To reject or refuse (a non-material thing or a person). b. Only Sc.: To repel (an attacker); to foil (a plan).a. c1590 Fowler II 45/30.
This propositioun … now laitlie … learnitlie refuted 1633 Lithgow Poet. Remains 80.
Whilst diverse yeares … I am refute, A mourning widow ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II 182.
That the act of parliament, 1592, gives them the freedom of yearly Generall Assemblyes, … which this offer refootethb. 1618 Lithgow Poet. Remains 45.
At Rhynsberg Sconce … A faint-heart French-man baselie was refute 1640 Ib. 164.
And Paul for Damas bound, to persecute His saints, was stroke, yet sav'd, his drifts refute
