A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Travers(e, Trevars, n. [ME and e.m.E. travers (1292), traverse (1459), OF travers m., traverse f.] a. The formal denial of a matter of fact alleged in a case at law. b. An upset or change (in circumstances), a reversal (of fortune). —a. 1429 Cal. Doc. IV 405.
It is accordit for declaracion of travers made or to be made be assise, that thar sal be chosin on aithir side thre trew and unsuspect persouns —b. 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 402.
Quhate trauers, troubyll, and calamitie Haith bene … Quhat mortall cheangis, quhat miseritie [etc.] 1571 Cal. Sc. P. IV 79.
[It will be a great stay to the compounding of these controversies] and soche particulars will cast in many traverses in the principall mater 1625 Annandale Corr. 279.
How … to … support the trevarsis of his froneing fortowne 1685 Lauder Observes 237.
I shall shut up this year with the traverses of ther negotiations and accusations on against another a1686 Turner Mem. 108.
The which meeting, after all these traverses, was exceeding comfortable to me 1691 Lauder Jrnl. 307.
Abbotshall was much bettered by thir traverses of fortune
