A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1460-1651
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Sob(b, v. Also: sobe. [ME (a1200) and e.m.E. sobben, sob(be. Appar. imitative. Cf. WFris. sobje, Du. dial. sabben to suck.]
1. To sob; to express grief by sobbing.1460 Hay Alex. 3595.
He sobbit and he sighit sare 1535 Stewart 43909.
[He] Sobbit full soir that harme wes for to heir 1579 Despauter (1579).
To sob 1588 King Catechism 28.
To lament, griet and sobe with the hure
2. To breathe convulsively in consequence of extreme physical weakness. Also fig.a1500 Lancelot of the Laik 2656.
Many one felith deithis wound, And wnder hors lyith sobing one the ground 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4351.
Allace, I trow scho be forfarne. Scho sobbit and scho fell in sounfig. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 237/329.
Scairclie coulde the ancient bott suche number of soules contayne But sobbit underneth the uecht
3. To cry out to God; to ask (or plead) (for, or to have, something) in a manner expressive of sorrow or humility.1558-66 Knox I 471.
Amanges us was heard no braggin … of our strenth, … we did onlye sob to God, to have respect to the equitie of our cause a1651 Calderwood II 266.
To sobbe to God for deliverance
