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.
Quotation dates: 1500-1513, 1567-1584
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Reuthles, adv. and adj. Also: rewth-. [ME and e.m.E. reutheles (c1327), routheles (Lydgate), ruthless(e, adj.; Reuth n.] a. adv. Pitilessly; without compunction. b. adj. Devoid of compassion; pitiless.Some of the quots. given under a may properly belong to b.a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 97/23.
That sweit meik rose … Quhois pykis throw me so reuthles ran 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 146.
And scho, reuthles, agane rewys on thé a1568 Bannatyne MS 223b/10.
Fro out the rute rewthles ȝe haif it revin 1570 Satirical Poems xiii 7.
Be cruell murther thame reuthles for to riue?b. 1572 Satirical Poems xxxii 81.
Thay reuthles ruffeis … Did slay my husband 1584 James VI Poems I 56/239.
And thow (o reuthles Death) sould thow deuore Her?
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"Reuthles adv., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/reuthles>
