A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Rifer,) River(e, Ryver, n. [e.m.E. ryver one who rends (Cath. Angl.), a robber (once, 1513); Rif(e v. Cf. Refar n.] Prob. formally deriving from Rif(e v. but freq. falling together in sense with Refar n. a. A robber, raider, plunderer; pirate. = Refar n. 1, 2. b. A violent person, one who rends, grabs or damages.a., b. a1500 Henr. Fab. 576 (Bann.).
Murther, theif and rivere [Ch. reuar], stand on reir c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 246.
Muttoun dryver, girnall ryver 1513 Doug. xi ix 95 (Ruddim.) (see Refar n. 1 (1)).
Ryueris 1535 Stewart 30389.
Ane multitude … Off theif and riuer … hereit all the landis of Kyntyre c1575 Balfour Pract. 213.
Or riveris of passengeris in commoun wayis and passagis 1610 Crim. Trials III 102.
Ane dittay aganes certane pirates, sie-thives, and rivers … indytting thame … vpoune the committing of certane … maisterfull stealthes vpoune the sie 1624 Glasgow Weavers 69.
To have sclanderit … Thomas Andersoun … in calling him ane ruger and river, and ane oppressour
