A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1500, 1567-1568
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Waris, Warys(e, v. P.p. also varist, wareist. [ME and e.m.E. waris (c1250), warisshe (Chaucer), warsche (Prompt. Parv.), warysshe (1530), OF wariss-.]
1. To cure, heal. a. A sickness, the ills of body or mind. b. A person (of sickness, sorrow), etc. c. intr.To recover.a. a1400 Legends of the Saints vii 388.
For-thi thi crafte thu keth one me, & waryse myn infyrmyte 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
For it (richtiusnes prayeris) helpis & warisis wele Al illis that a man may feile Off body & sauleb. (1) a1400 Legends of the Saints iii 108.
Trow In the lar of Criste Jhesu And that ded thing, that is in thé, Thu sall caste owt, and wariste be a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvi 1163.
Thai that wil thare wit recouere, Thai mone, of Sancte Johne in honoure, Cume til his kirk to wariste be ?1438 Alex. ii 10745.
The king … tald thame … How he and Porrus peax can ma, And how his leg was broking in tua, ‘Bot he sall varist be sone in hy’(2) a1400 Legends of the Saints xi 330.
Sik tormentis ȝe sal haf stil Thir thre dais, & thane sal ȝe Of ȝoure sorrow waryste be a1400 Legends of the Saints xxi 590.
Al that euire ware sek ore sare, Til hyme ware brocht … & be his prayere gret & smal Of thare seknes ware waryst al ?1438 Alex. ii 6995.
Said Clarus, ‘Nece, of that seiknes I sall be wareist weill at eis’c. a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvii 336.
Til a softe bed beris hyme tyte & fosteris hyme wele … Til he begyne to waryse
2. tr.To protect, guard, keep safe (fra, of something).(1) a1500 Golagros and Gawane 1006.
King Arthur Jhesu besoght … 'As thow art souerane God … At thow wald warys fra wo Wauane the wight'(2) ?1438 Alex. ii 6533.
Waris mot ȝow Jupiter? Cum furth, beaushire, and syt us by a1568 Bannatyne MS 84a/26.
Help vther to beir that ourladin be Sa sall this warld be warisid accordinle
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"Waris v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/waris>
