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.
Underlout, adj. and n. Also: undir-, -yr-, wndir-, -yr-, wyndyr- and -loute, -lowt(e, -lowd. [ME and e.m.E. vnderlout(e, -lut(e (all Cursor M.), OE underlútan v., to stoop beneath, ON lútr bending, stooping.]
A. adj. Of persons or things: Subject (to), under the control of (another, etc.); in a state of submission. = Onderlowt adj.(a) a1400 Leg. S. vi 459.
This present lyfe Is ay … vndirlout [L. subjecta] to chansis sere a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 349.
Til abstinens he gef hym al, & held his flesch vndirlout a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 5.
Criste … thru that croice mad vndirloute The feynd ?1438 Alex. ii 9925.
Cesar … To thame of Rome maid vnder-lout Cassabylon c1420 Wynt. i 1492 (W).
Nemprod that wes fell and provd, That wes the first maid vnderlowd c1420 Wynt. ii 1472 (W).
[They] maid … Thai landis … to thame vnderlout [C. vndyrlout] c1420 Wynt. iii 814.
Wndirlowt c1420 Wynt. iv 1991.
Wndyrloute(b) c1420 Wynt. ii 80.
All Ethyope scho wane but dowt And made it tyll [hir] wyndyrlowt [C. vndyrlout, W. vnderlout]fig. c1420 Wynt. vi 2176.
Bot hys thryfft he has sald all owte Quham falshad haldis wndyrlowte
B. noun. A subject or servant; an inferior, one who is subject to higher authority.a1400 Leg. S. i 128.
This Petir … has no kin dowt To thole for Criste as vnderlowte a1400 Leg. S. xix 146.
I wil nocht be thine [sc. the Devil's] vndyrlowt Langare a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 666.
I ame Cristis vndirloute 1456 Hay I 172/23.
Mony ar, the quhilkis … thinkis thai suld nocht be underloutis to nane erdly prince 1456 Hay II 16/19.
Bot gif he had sum knaulage of the sournes that it is … to be ane underlout or a servand
b. One who is forced to submit, a loser.1513 Doug. x vi 159.
So that the bargane lang standis in dowt, Quha salbe victor, and quha vnderlowt
