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.
Stark, Sterk, v. [ME and e.m.E. stark (Cursor M.) to become stiff, sterk (1562) to strengthen; Stark adj.] tr. (reflex.). To strengthen, support, encourage. —(a) c1475 Wall. xi 892.
Jhon Wallang was than schyreff of Fyff Till Wallace past … starkyt him in that stryff 1533 Gau 17/26.
Thay that heris blithlie bakbiters … or helpis or starkis thayme thair til and standis noth aganis thayme [etc.] 1533 Gau 92/10. c1540 Lynd. Kitteis Conf. 132.
The Sacramentis schaw thé at lenth, Thy lytle faith to stark and strenth —(b) 1533 Gau 30/19.
Al the gentil doctowrs and philosophors greit visdome and craft culd notht perfitlie confort thayme or sterk thayme in thair aduersite 1533 Gau 67/11. —reflex. 1490 Irland Mir. III 122/25.
The king & prince starkis him gretlie in his realme quhen he gettis the luf and fauour of his pepil in comperisone of him that the pepil hatis
