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.
Quotation dates: 1531-1626, 1678
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,0]
Roborat, -att, v. P.t. and p.p. -at(e, -att, -ait; -ated. [Late ME and e.m.E. roborate (a1450), f. p.p. stem of L. roborāre to strengthen.] tr.Chiefly in passive use.
1. To confirm, ratify (an agreement, treaty, etc.).1531 Bell. Boece I 21.
Gif thir conditionis war nocht sufficient to roborat [M. roboratt] the peace 1531 Ib. II 134.
That the said band may be the mair strenthy roborat [M. roboratt] 1533 Boece 51b.
King Fergus causit this haly affirmacioun of the pepill, vncoactit be thare aith, roborate be with letteris 1533 Ib. 571.
Be all thare selis thay war roborate 1552 Rec. Earld. Orkney 246.
The seill … to be hungin to this present chartor to roborat and strentht the same 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 26.
Peace to be roborat and bund vp in aither syid 1625 Garden Kings 29.
With pow're … [he] roborate his lawes, And so himself a scharpe justiciare schawes 1678 M.P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III 258.
This act was not done in a corner, and is now roborated with the peaceable possession of a grand prescription, never being once drawn in question
2. To give strength or vigour to; to fortify.c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii 251.
His fortoun was with strenth so roborait … durst nane with him debait 1626 Garden Worthies 150.
They … with or gainst there mother countrie goes, To roborat, or robb her of her right
3. With a material thing as object: To reinforce.c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii 585.
Thair was na force of man micht gar it fa[ld] With subtill wark it [sc. a building] was sa roborat
