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.
Upspred, v. Also: upspreid. P.t. also wpspred. [Spred v.] intr. a. Of a flower: To open out, bloom. b. Of fire: To spread, become disseminated. c. Of reputation, etc.: To become ever more widely known. —a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 29.
Thair faceis … Quhyt, seimlie and soft as the sweit lillies Now upspred upon spray c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 31/59.
Ladyes … Als fresch as flouris that in May up spredis [B., M. vpspreidis] a1568 Bann. MS 229b/4.
Now hes May depaynt with grene The hillis [etc.] … And flouris lustely vpspreidis —b. 1513 Doug. ii vi 27.
The nobil lugyng of … Deyphobus Was fal to grond, the fyre vpspred [Sm. wpspred] onone —c. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6968.
He vsit … honest deidis, That in the court his fame & word vp spreidis
