A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tort, v. [e.m.E. tort ppl. adj. (1568), L. tort- p.p. of torquere.] tr. To hurt or injure in battle; to damage, break. Cf. To-turt p.p. The Doug. quots. may be a misreading for tore or torn (Tere v.1). —1513 Doug. x xi 30.
Now sall he … sched hys gentyll blude sa pacient, In grews panys be Troianys tort [Sm., Ruddim. tort] and rent 1513 Doug. xi xiii 109.
With feil wondis his hed has tort [Sm. tort, Ruddim. tore] and rent; Hys harnys hait our all his vissage went 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. i 161.
Reductos, brocht abak, tort againe 1626 Garden Worthies 25.
Oft there foes defaiting there he fought, And tam'd them too that wndertook to tort-him [: support him]
