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. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Term(e, v. Also: tearm(e. [Late ME and e.m.E. terme (c1450), tearme (1570).] tr. To name, denominate, designate; to give a particular, specified name to. b. To define. c. Const. infin.: To designate or define (a person) to be of a certain sort.(a) 1562-3 Winȝet I 139/14.
The maior (as thai terme it) 1558-66 Knox I 108.
Haly Mother the Kirk, (so terme thei that harlott of Babilon, Rome) 1561 Knox VI 131.
I do fear that that which with men terme lenitie and dulcenes do bring upon thameselves … mor fearfull distruction then yit hath ensewed the vehemency of any preacher within this realme 1578–9 Reg. Privy C. III 77.
Johnne, Lord Maxwall, … hed … termed the said advise a pernitious counsale 1585 Misc. Bann. C. I 134.
Tearmed the Lords of the faction 1588 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 53.
Sa termis it ther landswartis reidairis 1609 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 1072.
A controversy of the Kirk … whether the moderator should be constant, or circular as they termed it 1662 Soc. Ant. XXII 220.
Janet Paton, termed the nun 1672 Sinclair Hydrostaticks 285.
The free level (for so they term the level that runs unforced)(b) 1562 Knox Ressoning 189.
He begin to cry to suche as he tearmes his flock 1691 Melville Corr. 163.
He … hectors such as do not still tearm him Lord Chancellor of Scotlandb. a1599 Rollock Wks. I 303.
Thou art termit be thy saull, and the saull properlie makis ane man to be ane manc. 1632 Lithgow Trav. iii 107.
Tearming vs … to haue monstrous backes against the execution of iustice