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.
Stonis, v. Also: stonys, -eis, stunnys. P.t. stonyst, -eist, stonischit, stwnyst, -eist. P.p. also stonished, stunyst. [Cf. Astonis v.; prob. f. as Ston(a)y v.]
1. To shock, dismay, fill with fear, chiefly in warlike contexts. = Ston(a)y v. 1. Also ellipt.pres. ?1438 Alex. i 1555.
Sa that na mischeif, … perell, nor greif, Micht stoneis thair hartis, na affray 1460 Hay Alex. 1314.
Ȝour serpentinis [etc.] … at thair bak salbe … And thus may stonis thame sa weill … That [etc.] 1513 Doug. iii iv 95.
The suddane dreid so stonyst our feris than, Thar blude congelit and al togidder ranellipt. 1513 Doug. xi i 44.
Attend To armys and to weirfar euery ane Provydand … for bargane So that ȝhe reddy be and na delay May stoppyn ȝou nor stunnys [L. ne qua mora ignaros … impediat]p.t. 1460 Hay Alex. 1899.
The sperehed past in sidlingis by a sclent And drew na blude and stonist him rycht mekillp.p. 1460 Hay Alex. 1660.
Quhan Nicolas persauit his princis dede He studiit and was stonist in the stede a1500 Henr. Fab. 737 (Bann.).
All stoneist still into a stair he stude a1500 Henr. Fab. 953 (Bann.).
Tod Laurence … stert on fute, all stoneist, and all sterit a1500 Rauf C. 173.
I am stonischit at this straik that hes me thus steird c1475 Wall. viii 379.
An awkwart straik … his crag in sondyr draiff; Quhar off the layff astunyt [1570 laif war stoneist] in that sted 1535 Stewart 32214.
The Pechtis pertlie … set on thame syne with ane schout and cry, … So stoneist war tha mycht no langer stand 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Stupes, to be stonished(b) c1475 Wall. vi 549.
The fyrst cownter so gret abaysing maid, That all the ost was stunyst of that sicht 1490 Irland Mir. I 133/8.
[Mary] persauit the presentacioune of a man befor hire in the nature of angell, sche was in part stunyst and abaysit
b. In contexts not involving fear: To astonish, amaze.1460 Hay Alex. 8617.
Quhilkis ar the thewis of a fare woman … Thare is no man … Bot it sould stonys his ententioun To ansure wele to sic ane questioun 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1161.
The ladyis fair on diuers instrumentis Went playand [etc.] … Thair womanlines wryithit the Elementis, Stoneist the heuin and all the eirth adoun 1580 Hume Promine 27.
Befoir the furthcome of that cumlie king … Richt gaylie garnist with giftis gracious, Quhais heuinlie hauingis stonischit the air
c. absol. or intr. To be shocked, to exhibit surprise.c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 340 (C).
He all stwnyst throu the stound as of a stele wappin a1568 Bell. in Bann. MS 3a/139.
Quhair natur stwneist and had grit wondering
2. To stupefy with a blow; hurt. = Ston(a)y v. 2.?1438 Alex. i 2015.
Sa stoneist at eard thay lay That thay wist nather of nicht nor day ?1438 Alex. i 2305.
On him he brak his spere And sa stoneist him … That in that stede he can him take
