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.
Renegat, Renigat, n. (adj.) Also: reny-, renni-, renna-; rani-, ran(n)a-, ranne- and -gatt; -gate, -gait, -galt; Renigall. [ME ranegate (c1375), renagat (Chaucer), renegate (c1400), e.m.E. also rennagat(e, renogat noun, also attrib. (c1485-), med. L. renegāt-, subst. use of p.p. of renegāre. See also Rinigat, Renegade n., and Runagat(e n.]
1. noun. A deserter, esp. one who deserts or renounces his faith, creed or religion.(a) 1562-3 Winȝet I 58/9.
In that thai renunce as renegatis thair preistheid Ib. 137/3.
We will … fle ȝour cumpanie as of ethnikis and renigatis Ib. II 67/15.
Apostatis and rennigatis to the faythful 1570 Sat. P. xiii 106.
And quha wald seik ane man but conscience, Ane renegat for to deny his creid 1583 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 631.
Some … become oppen rennagattis, and blasphemers of the trueth(b) 1564 St. A. Kirk S. 192.
To be cuttit of as ane rannegalt and renunsar of his fayth
b. As a term of abuse or reprobation: A villain, scoundrel. c. specif. A traitor.15.. Clar. II 306.
That this … theif and renegat [sc. adulterous husband] Defaice sould … ane lady as am I 1570 Sat. P. xxi 17.
Thay renigats, thay rubiatouris Hes stollin our regentis lyfe 1607 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 34.
All honest men … sall absteine … the cumpanie of theise rannagatis 1615 Bk. Islay 339.
How difficle a thing it is to find out such a number of ranagates who drawis themselffis to lurk in divers corneris of the kingdome
2. attrib. or adj.c1475 Wall. x 492.
In cursyt tym thow [sc. Bruce] was for Scotland born …, Thou renygat deuorar off thi blud a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 401.
Raw mowit ribald, renegate [B. rannegald] rehatour 1549 Compl. 162/4.
Sa that tha vil be suorne to be Inglis slauis and renegat Scottis 1562-3 Winȝet I 110/7.
Sum of our rennigatt preistis 1567 Sempill Sat. P. viii 1.
Renigat [pr. reingat] rapfow! … Skorner of poitis and sklanderus knaif 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 32.
All kynd of wickit men as papistes, renegat protestantis … and oppin oppressours and murtheraris 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 161/20.
That renegat and periurit priest Schir Iohann Kmnox 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 17b. c1590 Fowler II 58/11.
Renigalt preists 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. vi.
This kinde of reprobate philosophy rather becomes renigat mindes then Christian men c1650 Spalding I 205.
Ane renegat lymmar, bloodschedder, and murtherar
3. The following may be instances of either 1 or 2 above.For Doug. quot. cf. Rebald n. and adj. B.1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 954.
We remaine … To justifie that rebald rennigait a1578 Pitsc. II 61/1.
Thow ranigat tratour theif
