A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Underga, -go, -gang, v. Also: wnder-, -ir, -yr and -goe. P.p. undergone, -ȝede. [ME and e.m.E. unnderrgan (Orm), vnder-ga(n (c1250), vnder-ga (Cursor M.), OE and late OE undergangan, undergán.] tr.
1. To undergo, bear, suffer (something).a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii 243.
For-thi mare ardent wes his wil Hard martirdome til vndirga 1605 Douglas Corr. 191.
To vndirgo all perell may geve your maiestie contentment and just try all of my obedience 1682 Lauder Observes App. iv 307.
None was found that wold undergo so foulsome a hazard
2. To submit to, endure (legal process).1398–9 Acts I 211/2.
Til apere … apon the warnynge of xxj days as day peremtore thare til vndergang the law for thair trespasis 1425 Liber Melros 544.
Tyll wndirgang asyse of purale of the marchis debatabil 1445 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 398.
Vndirgang c1575 Balfour Pract. 443.
To undergang and underly ane assise of purprisioun and usurpatioun … as he quha purpressis and usurpis aganis him, his over-lord 1629 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 79.
The pannell present alleging nothing in the contrair was content to undergo the tryell
3. To undertake, assume, take on (a charge, duty, responsibility). Also absol.pres. 1456 Hay II 8/29.
On the grete charge that a knycht undergais quhen he undertakis that noble and worschipfull ordre of knychthede 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 923.
Me my self, I grant Unworthe … To undergo so great a charge 1627 Fraserburgh Kirk S.II 7 March.
Quhilk men was thoicht meit … to wndergo the calling of elderis 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. xi.
It is a hard work for me (I doe confes) to undergoe a matter of so great antiquitie, seing all beginings … are obscure 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 58.
In respect that Walter Moresone, wha wes … electit to be ane of the four capitanes of this burghe, refuised to embrace and vndergoe his chargep.p. 1663 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 18 Nov.
Of the quiche thrie serjeands William Swintoun wes one, and quiche chairge tua yeirs befor he had undergoneabsol. 14.. Acts I *85/2.
Gif he be convict of manslauchter that is appellit and his borrowis vnderȝede for him [L. et plegium habuerit] that appele
b. To be answerable for (debts).1400 Maxwell Mem. I 138.
The forsayd Robert sal vnderga of tha dettis the tane half 1469 Acts II 96/2.
And failȝeing tharof that he tak the lande to him self and vndirgang the det
c. To go through with (a marriage).c1420 Wynt. vii 2440.
Gyve thare hapnyd ony let … As to be dede, or [noucht] off age Till wndyrga this maryage
