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: 1498-1596
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Revolve, v. Also: -volwe, -volf(e, -wolf; -woll. [ME and e.m.E. revolve(n (1387–8), L. revolvere, f. volvere to roll, turn.]
1. tr. To turn over (a thought, idea, etc.) in (in to, amyd) one's mind, etc.a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 809 (Asl.).
Rewolf in mynd the gret perplexite Of synnaris seand [etc.] a1499 Ib. 937 (Harl.).
In to thi mynd reuolue How till imprent this pieteous passioun 1513 Doug. v xiii 34.
Venus, al onflocht, Amyd hir breist reuoluand mony a thocht, Spak to Neptune 1513 Ib. x xiv 150.
Full mony thing revoluyt he in thocht c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2411.
Ȝit reasonably reuolfe in to ȝour thocht In stok nor stone can be non holynes 1562-3 Winȝet I 23/10.
Reuolueand in mynd that maist flurissand part of my aige 1596 Dalr. II 187/27.
Reuolfe this mater in ȝour mynd
2. To consider, ponder (an idea); to think over.Also to revolve with (oneself), in the same sense.(1) a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 297 (Asl.).
Rewolf forthere gif evir thow mony knewe Spendand thair ȝouth in synnis criminale 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 12.
Oft to revolue ane onleful consait Rypys ȝour peralus frutis 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 507.
Off Flodoun feilde the rewyne to reuolfe … I nyll 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 118.
Hir maiestie, revolvand the premissis and thinkand of hir dewetie to schaw [etc.] a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS 421/78.
Lat … experience ȝour weill and wo adwysidlie reuolwe(2) 1562-3 Winȝet II 54/7.
Gretumlie reuoluand and panceand the samin thingis with me self 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 97.
Mony things we revolved with our self but nevir could find an outgait
3. To turn over, read through, search through (a book).Also fig.a1500 Henr. Fab. 1216 (Bann.).
Of sewall mony volum thay rewoll [: resoll; Ch. reuolue, rh. resolue] a1500 Bk. Chess 1692.
And to revolf the bukis … Off … Galiene a1568 Bannatyne Bannatyne MS II p. 59/1.
Ȝe reverend redaris thir workis revolving richtfig. 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 7/3.
I began to reuolue the librarye of my vndirstanding
4. intr. Rendering L. volvere.In Latin appar. fig., with reference to spinning, or the unrolling of a scroll.1513 Doug. i i 33.
The fatale sisteris reuolue and schaw, scho kend, Of Troiane blude a pepill suld descend
5. To deliberate, meditate.1535 Stewart 36010.
This Donewald … Oft in his mynd revoluand to and fro [etc.] a1568 Bannatyne MS 53b/11.
O man revolue and think how thow art bocht 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 135.
Revolve in your memories, and remember gif at ony time [etc.]
6. To move round in an orbit.1580 Hume Promine 16.
Flowand Phœbe … reuoluing in hir ring, Beheld the west
