A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1400, 1456-1586
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Sobirnes, n. Also: -nis, -yrnes, -ernes(se, sobrenes. [ME soburnes (Cursor M.), sobrenesse (1382), e.m.E. sobernes (1509); Sobir adj.]
1. a. Moderation in dealing with others, a spirit of conciliation or reasonableness.(1) a1400 Legends of the Saints x 444.
The clergy … sobryt tham, that nere woud wes, Vith softnes & vith sobrenes a1400 Legends of the Saints xix 365.
Thai fore rednes ware sa meke, That thai with sobirnes sad hyme til 1456 Hay I 81/21.
A gude spirit with sobirnes and pacience may ourcum … a grete querele(2) 1460 Hay Alex. 739.
Sa ȝoung a prince to speik sa resonably With sic ane mesure and a sobernes
b. As a personal quality: Seriousness; humility; willingness to accept one's lot.1456 Hay II 62/21.
Man suld be armyt with gude will, sobernesse, humilitee [etc.] 1460 Hay Alex. 2258.
Alexander with sobirnes thame harkis a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1244.
I sall followe neuertheles Ȝour will with alkyn sobirnes a1500 Bernardus 170.
Man, of thi fa gef thow hase ony dowte Be wakyr … Thé to conserffe with vertu fra his ile Wycht sobyrnes stedfastly and style 1490 Irland Mir. I 136/20.
How … sche considerit all the wourdis of the angell, ansuerit with all humilite, in sobyrnes, how [etc.] 1494 Loutfut MS 15a.
[That] sobirnes cummys of contraint and thairfor it is comperit to the virtu of abstinence a1538 Abell 114a.
Humelite chestite discretioun & sobirnes a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS 60/159.
Content thi self with sempill sobirnes a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS 423/138.
His clemence will nocht quyt Sic sobirnis with sic seueritie Bot send ȝowe … Pacepersonified c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 167.
Womanhede … led wyth hir … Mylde Chere and Sobirnes
c. Peacefulness, amicability (between people).1460 Hay Alex. 12817.
We desire bot pace lufe treuth sobirnes bot were a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 525.
I defend we fecht … Lat se how we may disseuer with sobernes aneuch, And catche crabitnes away
2. Moderateness in respect of the appetites: The quality of not eating or drinking to excess.1460 Hay Alex. 12799.
We ete … With sobirnes and clene wattir we drink c1460 Thewis Wysmen 114.
He is nocht … Deligat, na liccorus of his fud, Bot eftir as it may gudly bee, In sobyrnes suetly takis hee c1490 Porteous Noblenes 63/71 (Ch. & M.).
Sobirnes … is … help of the wittis wache to hele [etc.]
