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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Superfluous, adj. (adv.). Also: -fluus, -fluows, -flow(o)us, -flowis, -fluis, -fl(e)ous, swperflws, supperflouis. [Late ME and e.m.E. superfluous (a1450); f. as Superflew adj.]

1. Exceeding what is usual or necessary; excessively copious or numerous. = Superflew adj. 1. 1554 Facs. Nat. MSS III xxxvi.
Being afraid, with thes my superflous woordes, to interturbe … your Highnes 1566 Peebles B. Rec. I 303.
Excep alanerle that the falt be found that the said millis standis on bak watter be swperflws flwdis or ellis by greit frosteis 1595 Purves Revenue Crown 14.
They shall retrinch the superfluous number of servants in his Majestis house 1691 Galloway P. 28 October.
With full power to the said William to cut weid and take away the superflowous bramble of the trees

2. That is not needed; unnecessary, uncalled-for, redundant. = Superflew adj. 2. a1500 Henr. Fab. 41.
Gif ȝe find ocht that throw my negligence Be deminute or ȝit superfluous Correct it a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 143/1.
Gif the reader thinkis it ane superflowis persuasione that this vickit heresye … is sa effectuislye condamnit with sik nowmer of godlye fathers 1561 Reg. Privy C. I 190.
[They] protestit that thai wer nocht astrictit to superfluus probatioun a1651 Calderwood II 533.
[To provide the means whereby] the superfluous ruinous part, to witt the quire and the croce kirk, might be dispouned by faithfull men, to repaire the remanent sufficientlie 1570 Leslie 252.
Certane statutes for abbreviation of processis … quhairby … superflowis termis and delationis [may be] cut away 1583 Reg. Privy C. III 618.
[It would have been] bot vane and superfluus labour to have reiterat the said registratioun 1640 Maister George Blacke His Masterlesse Men 1.
Of the superfluus superstition of hallowed mowles, and church-burials 1695 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 240.
Seeing the forsaid distinct tryal of every journal hath been found both a tedious and a superfluous labour

b. In impersonal constructions. 1582 Misc. Stair Soc. I 124.
It is superflowous to wreitt ony further thairanent 1588 King Cat. I viii.
I thocht it sowld be mare superfluous thane necessare to intrait the same [matter] in this place

c. Of a person; Writing or saying more than is necessary; wordy, verbose. 1570 Leslie 253.
I will not be superflowus in rehersing thairof; albeit mony of thame be worthie of memorie

3. Exceeding what is right or desirable. b. Immoderate, over-indulgent. = Superflew adj. 3. c1580-90 Rules of Health 5.
Latt newir … superfluus humouris redound into ȝour la: body 1610 Conv. Burghs II 297.
The superfluus chairges att heid waschingsb. 1533 Gau 95/19.
Giff ws grace that we may stand aganis al inordinat and superfluis desiris in meittis and drinkkis and slepinge 1550 Reg. Privy C. I 94.
The gret and exhorbitant derth … becaus of superfluis chear usit commonlie in the realme 1553 Mill Mediæv. Plays 150.
The lordis of Bonacord … hes maid our mony grit sumpteous & superfleous banketing induring the tyme of thair regnne 1570 Leslie 154.
It [sc. banqueting, fashions in clothing, etc.] semit to be varray comlie and beautifull, yit it wes moir superfluows and volupteous nor the substaunce of the realme of Scotland mycht … susteine 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. Cii.
Suppois thay wer no Lordis that aboundit in superfluous welth as the Papis Bishoppis did 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I 104.
In superflowis bankatting, with conventioun of freindis … eftir … thair said mariage 1575 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 335.
We thinke all kynd of brodering vnseimlie … and all superfluous and vaine cutting out, steiking with silks 1574–5 Misc. Maitl. C. I 114.
Supperflouis 1595 Edinb. B. Rec. V 142.
The brekking, bayking and using of mayne floure and mayne breid is mair superfluous, serving the appetyte of delicate persouns … rather than necessar to ane commoun weill 1664 Boharm Kirk S. 27 March.
That there sall be no superfluous drinking upon the Lord's day in brouster houses

4. adv. Immoderately, to excess. 1602 Conv. Burghs II 140.
That na persoun within schipbuird be sua bauld as to drink superfluous, by measure, or ȝit to mak ony bankettis