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: 1399-1420, 1513, 1567-1611
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Wre, Wray, Wry, v. P.t. and p.p. wreit, wreyt. [ME and e.m.E. wrei(en (c1175), wreȝ(h)enn (both Orm), wrey(en (c1275), wray(en (c1320), wrye(n (1398), OE wréᵹan.] tr.a. To disclose, reveal (something). b. To accuse (someone).a. a1400 Legends of the Saints xviii 1446.
Ilke ȝere Solempnyt fest … Thai mad, [one] that day scho deyt, Fra that he hyre lyf had wreyt 1513 Doug. ix iii 6.
The deid is auld forto beleif or wry, Bot the memor remanys perpetualy 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 218.
Quhen he [sc. Samson] his secreit heid did wray 1611 Fugitive Poetry II 7/6.
Thy tell-truth fervent freedom … Wrays but his awin fals, faint or servill shameb. a1400 Legends of the Saints iii 804.
Egeas … thocht … he wald send To the Cesare … A playnt … To wre leile men … And namely agane that matrone To put hyr to confusione a1400 Legends of the Saints xii 393.
The Jowis … hyme befor thare byschope brocht & in mony thingis hyme wreit As thai falsly one hyme leyt a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxi 574.
Melancia that wes nocht swere To wre the abbot … sad ‘Sir iuge, do me rycht Of this fals monks that [etc.]’ c1420 Wynt. v 5082 (E2, Au.) (see Wra(i)th v.a).
Wreande
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