Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Stan(e)-stil(l, adj. Also: stanne-, stone-. [ME and e.m.E. ston-stille (Ancr. R.), ston-styll (c1475), stone still (Shakespeare); Stan(e n. and Stil(l adj.] a. As still as a stone, motionless; unable to move. b. Inactive, not engaging or failing to engage in some activity. c. Of a person or thing: To remain (in a place). Only Stewart. d. To continue (to fight) neither side giving way, not to give an inch (in fighting). Only Stewart.a. a1400 Leg. S. i 491.
The body lay stan still a1400 Leg. S. x 79.
Fore al that thai gert stand stane-stil, To gange he gef tham ful fre will a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1143.
[They] stud thane stane still & gret scham had a1400 Leg. S. l 481.
Thir masteris than held thaim stan still, & ilkane gowit wthir till c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1757.
Thar all nycht stone-still he layb. c1420 Wynt. viii 2583 (W).
The Scottismen sa wery was That few of thaim followit the chas, Bot baid stane still in to the feild c1420 Wynt. ix 741 (W).
He in staill huffit stane still Till his folkis fochtyn had 1535 Stewart 15350.
At thair counsall thai la that tyme stane still, Ane da or tua waittand the Romanes will 1535 Stewart 38928.
The Scottis … in the tyme had bled so mekle blude Into that place thairfoir stane still tha stude a1700 Mare of Colinton 443.
When with a lang heavy rung, I did perceive my hussie dung, I was stanne still, and held my tonguec. 1535 Stewart 9967.
On his graif thai maid ane greit grene hill, Quhilk in that steid standis thair stane still 1535 Stewart 20909.
Fergus did remane Still in Denmark quhill that he hard … sum vther tydenis … Stone still he la and schupe nocht for to steir Quhill [etc.] 1535 Stewart 40984.
Quhometo king Malcome greit rewardis gaif, … sensyne geid neuer ȝit hame agane, Bot ay in Scotland stone still did remaned. 1535 Stewart 12061.
Stone still tha faucht als lang as tha had lycht … Out of the feild neuir ane of thame wald flie 1535 Stewart 18195.
Stone still thai faucht with egir will that tyde 1535 Stewart 19709.
So wode thai war … Into that stryffe stone still thai did remane; Fechtand in feild quhair thai wer ilk ane slane 1535 Stewart 37028.
This nobill king with mony man of gude, Fechtand stone still ȝit in the feild tha stude 1535 Stewart 56818.