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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.

Violet, Violat(e, n. (adj.). Also: violett, -ete, -eit, -att, wiolet, -at, vyolet(t, -at, wyolete, vialet, vylat, veilet. [ME and e.m.E. violet (c1330), vyolet (c1400), violett (1370), vialet (Prompt. Parv.), OF violet(t)e the flower, violet(e, vielet(e, vilet(te fabric violet in colour, the colour itself.]

A. noun. 1. A violet, the flower of the genus Viola. Also fig. applied to a person. b. As used in making scented powder. Chiefly, powdir violet, see Pouder-violet n. for examples.coll. c1420 Wynt. i 434.
Froyt and gyrs thai oysyd tyll ete As kers, or mawe, or wyolete, [C., W. violet] 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III 125.
Sindrie herbes sic as red roses, vialet laiffiis, camavyne, malvis a1606 Dioscoridis Annot. 184b.
[Leucoium, siue viola alba,] Anglice, whyte violete, Scotiæ concessasing. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1336 (H).
The rosis reid … and the purpour violat bla 1513 Doug. xi ii 29.
The soft violet that doys freschly schyne 1652 Lamont Diary 50.
Nouember and December … the whine generallie did blome, and some brome also … The veilet also had its floure, (which is not ordinar till March)pl. 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 11.
As quhan rosis and violettis springis new in the autumne 1590 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 394 (see Romany adj.²).
Vyolettis 1500-1699 Herbarius Latinus Annot. cxlvi (Bot.).
Viola, violeitisfig. Arundel MS 285/222.
O Mary … O thow profound violat of the waill of humilite, haill. O thou braid rois off the fald of godlie cherite, haillb. 1538 Treas. Acc. VII 112.
For polder pokis of violat to lay amang the kingis claithis, vj s.

2. Fabric or garments violet in colour. See also Grainit ppl. adj. for further examples. 1432–3 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 331.
Capis de bruno violet 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 220 (see Grainit ppl. adj.).
Violate a1568 Sempill in Sat. P. xlviii 61.
The violet certane wes maid Dumbartane The reid wes walkit in Dumkell 1569 Treas. Acc. XII 166.
iij elnis ij quarteris of violat ingrane to Donald Gormis wiffe, the elne vj li. 1587 Edinb. Test. XVII 161b.
Ane clok of violet in graine

B. adj. Violet in colour, chiefly of cloth or garments. Also absol. 1503 Halyb. 270.
xv Flemys ellis of grayn claitht wiolet 1524 Wigtown B. Ct. 149b.
Ane violet hat 1540 Maxwell Mem. I 409.
Ane kyrtill of wiolet chammyllet, lynit with fwnȝeis 1561 Inv. Wardrobe 141.
Ane burd claith of violett broun velvot 1564–5 Treas. Acc. XI 348.
ij unce of violatt and ȝallow silk, the unce xvj s. 1575 Dumfries B. Ct. 12 Oct.
Ane pair of vylat brikis 1588–9 Cal. Sc. P. IX 674.
xvj ellis cramosse vyolat claith cost vij l. the ell 1594 Edinb. Test. XXVI 302.
Ane steik of wiolat steming price xxv li.absol. 1580 Hume Promine 67.
Sine in the praises of that prince preclair, Spred furth his purpour springis aureat … Quhill all the skyis skaillit violat c1590 J. Stewart 136 § 2.
Flours … Quhois blossums clein maist seimlie schaddows schew; Sum purpour fyn, and sum of clamsie hew, Sum quhyt, sum van, broune, blae, and violat