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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.

Throuchfare, n. Also: throuche-, throwch-, thruch(t)-, throcht-, throw- and -fair, -fayr. [ME and e.m.E. thurghfare (Chaucer), thoruhfare (Lydgate), thoruȝ fare (c1449), thoroughfare (1540), throwfare (1554), throughfare (Shakespeare).]

1. A town or village of non-burghal status positioned on a highway, through which traffic regularly passes. Also attrib. with toun. 1424 Acts II 6/2.
In all burowis townys of the realme and thruchtfaris quhar common passagis are that thar be ordanyt hostilaris and resette haifande stabillis and chawmeris to ridaris and gangaris 1425 Acts II 10/1.
In the way that hostelaris in boroustounis ande throuchfaris menys thaim to the king that his liegis … herberys thaim nocht with hostelares c1475 Wall. viii 714.
Thai gert the king cry all thar merket doun Fra Trent to Tweid off throchtfayr [v.r. throuchfair] and fre toun a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 36.
The brughs and throwfairs of the realme quher comone passages ar 1663–6 Sel. Biog. I 161.
Stranrawer, being ane throw-fair within four myles of Portpatrick; and so nearer for the advantage of our people in Irelandattrib. 1515–16 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 66.
The said Robertis tenentis and town of Leitht ar taxt with the burrowis of the haile realm, howbeit na uthir baron nor yit the said Robert nor his predecessouris in ony times bygane war taxt with the burrowis … becaus it is bot ane throwchfair town within the said barony and thar is na uthir baron nor townis within barony taxt with burrowis bot the said town of Leith alanerly 1515–16 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 66.
[Leith] sall broik siclyk fredome as uthir thruchfair townis within the realm and nocht to pay taxatioun with free burrowis in tyme tocum 1546 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 551.
To hant and use the fact of merchandice and to by and sell all maner of gudis … quhair he pleissis at kirkis and throcht fair tounis 1553 Reg. Privy C. I 143.
To caus the said … prices … be observit and kepit be the craftismen and ostillaris … and … ordanis that all villages and throuchfair townis of this realme to use thaim, conform to the prices maid in the heid burchis of the schir quhair thai ly 1575 Reg. Privy C. II 478.
To command and charge the provest and baillies of ilk burgh, citie, throuchfair toun or place of strenth, being in the way throw the quhilk the saidis plegeis and utheris salbe convoyed 1592 Acts III 576/1.
To mak prisonis stokkis and irnis … at the principall throuche fair townis and paroche kirkis

2. A thoroughfare, passage. Only attrib. with lok. 1532 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 103.
Twa new keyis to the sangstaris chalmer durris and to the throchtfair lok besyd the irne yet