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.
Quotation dates: 1475-1677
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0]
Upwith, Wpwith, n., adj., adv. and prep. [Up adv. and prep. and With prep. Cf. 17th c. Eng. vpwithes (1607). Also in the later dial.]
A. noun. 1. Climax, crucial point or stage.c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 401.
All is bot frutlese his effeir and falȝeis at the up with 1570 Warrender P. MS 130.
The haill forrest of Eitrik … ar haill for the Quene onles it be Cessfurd [etc.] … quhilk we trust wil nocht be at the upwith against the Quene 1584 Waus Corr. 295.
Ane actiowne of … the yowng llaird … qwhilk now being cwm to the wpwith, and as I onderstand allmaist to ane finall point 1638 Dickson in Select Biographies II 19.
Man … is a quick divell, and when it comes to the upwith, heir doe they [sc. the Arminians] schoot to put all the matters in man's awne hand 1677 Maxwell Mem. II 326.
If your wncle's bussines be at ane vpwith
2. At vpwith and dounewith, uphill and downhill.1513 Treasurer's Accounts IV 515.
Tua drawyn towis to keip hir [sc. a cannon] at upwith and dounewith
B. adj. Of ground: Rising.c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace v 100.
To the next woode twa myil thai had to gang, Off vpwith erde
C. adv. Upwards, in an upwards direction. Also proverb.1535 Stewart 36931.
The Danis … Traistand the Scottis vpwith to the hill, Suld tyre ilkone than or tha come thame till 1636 Orkney Bishopric Court Book MS 99.
From that wpwith compassand the quoy callit Sand quoy to the know vpoun the head of the braeproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 71.
As meikle upwith, as meikle down with
D. prep. Up along the course of (a topographical feature).1504 (1584) Reg. Great S. 239/2.
Ascendand upwith the said swaill quhill it cum to the littill stane calsay
