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.
Sure, v. P.p. suirit, sever-, sewerit, -at. [ME and e.m.E. sure(n (Piers Plowman), suyr (c1400), sured p.p. (1420-22), sewyred p.p. (c1430); aphetic form of Assure v. Cf. also Sure adj. and Sover v.] tr. a. To assure the safety of, protect, safeguard. b. To assure (someone) (that something is a fact); to convince (someone) (of something). c. p.p. Engaged by professed allegiance to (with) another.a. 1535 Stewart 56286.
That halie place wes suirit with him than Fra fyre, bot nocht fra spulȝe and fra reif 1567 G. Ball. 108.
And with thair handis thay sall thé sure, That thow hurt nocht aganis ane craig Thy fute, bot [etc.]b. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4629.
For I sure ȝow he leuis not vpon life That wald [etc.] 1581 in Bann. Memor. 327.
Thair was thrie thingis, … quhilk mycht make him to be suirit of the mercie of Godc. a1578 Pitsc. II 38/31.
Togither witht all the bordaris and countrie men baitht of Ingland and Scotland quho war sewerat witht thame and had taine on the reid crose and sworne to tak thair pairt a1578 Pitsc. II 42/23.
All trew Scottismen … quho had bene constranit be Inglischemen and King Harieis puissance to be severit and tak on the reid crose and obey thame selfis to be trew subiectis to King Harrie a1578 Pitsc. II 103/18.
The quhilk … lutte tham noway labour bot so money as was sewerit and payit thame maillis
