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.
To-hew, v. P.t. to-hewit, till-hewyt. P.p. to-hewin, -yn, till-hewyn. [ME and e.m.E. to heawen (Layamon), tohew(en (Chaucer), OE to-héawan; To- prefix2 and Hew v.1] tr. To cut to pieces.(a) 1375 Barb. xvii 756 (C).
The folk that assalȝeand wer At Mary ȝet, to-hewyn had The barras ?1438 Alex. i 287.
My haubrek to-hewin is ?1438 Alex. ii 4517.
Baith flesch and senonis he bure all doun; He all to-hewit ?1438 Alex. ii 4927.
Him-selfe defend and thame assale, Handis to-hew and hedes baith c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1370 (C).
With fele woundes sere and mony, And all to-hewit hys body(b) 1375 Barb. ii 384.
He all till-hewyt that he our-tuk And dang on thaim quhill he mycht drey 1375 Barb. xx 377.
Sa fast till-hewyn was his face That it our-all ner wemmyt was
