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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Beforn, Beforne, adv., prep., conj. [ME. beforn(e, var. of beforen, OE. beforan: see Before. In Sc. only in rhyme (with rare exceptions) and prob. adopted from English.]

A. adv. 1. Before in time; formerly. 1375 Barb. x. 245.
Thai that war went furth beforn a1400 Leg. S. vii. 145.
Ihesus, quham one the tre Before-tyme we hangit beforne c1420 Wynt. i. 436.
Swylk wes the lyf thai led beforne Ib. ii. 1187.
Never yhit … Sa lang a day wes sene beforne ?1438 Alex. ii. 391.
For wyse men hes said beforne, ‘Euill nichtbour makes euill morne’ c1460 Thewis Wysmen 60.
Syklyk corne That cumys agane, as grew beforne 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 427.
Ené did na thing … Bot quhilk the goddis commandit hym beforn 1535 Stewart 19426.
Ane lang tyme beforne 15.. Clar. i. 617.
As ȝe have hard beforne 1570 Sat. P. xviii. 48.
Thay thocht … [to] obtene thay socht sa lang beforne a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1490.
As ȝe hard beforn 1604-31 Craig v. 33/12.
This practicke rare which seldome was beforn

b. Of beforn(e, in the same sense. Cf. Before adv. 1 b. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxx. 14.
In quhais heartis no prudence can tak place, Exemple, nor experience of beforne 1535 Stewart 4850.
To fecht in feild agane thame [that] … Hes vincust thame so laitlie of beforne a1568 Scott ii. 92.
Than wer thay movit owt of mynd, Far mair than of beforne

2. In front; in advance; in presence. c1420 Wynt. i. 802.
That horne … is wondyr scharpe beforne a1500 Henr. Twa Mys 94 (A).
The eldest mous wes gyde & ȝeid beforne 1535 Stewart 9356.
This being said quhair mony wes beforne

3. I tak beforne, I except. ?1438 Alex. ii. 73.
The best on ground that euer was borne, Bot Alexander I tak beforne

B. prep. 1. In front of, in presence of. 1375 Barb. iii. 136.
He laid hym ewyn him beforn c1475 Wall. iv. 110.
Fell tithingis was brocht Persie beforn a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 87.
With stout contenance and sture he stude thame beforne c1500 Fyve Bestes 128.
This gentill best this king he come beforne a1500 Prestis of Peblis 588.
With luck and grace and Fortoun me beforne a1500 Doug. K. Hart 302.
Bewtie hir baner beris hir beforne c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxv. 12.
Me thocht Deme Fortoun … Stude me beforne c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 110.
Twa men of weir wer hir beforne 15.. Clar. i. 1028.
To heir quhat waird [= weird] thay sould lay me beforne 1567 G. Ball. 27.
Na certane tyme [being] set thé beforne 1611-57 Mure I. 166/98.
When … Thou guiltie stands that Iudge beforne

2. Before (in time); previous to, earlier than. c1420 Wynt. iv. 2522.
That cyté Quharoff beforne that borne wes he c1500-c1512 Dunb. lx. 46.
All his eldaris him beforne 1535 Stewart 24.
Of eldaris deidis preceidand him beforne c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 68.
So was his father him beforne 1567 G. Ball. 44.
He that all warldis was beforne 1572 Sat. P. xxxi. 182.
Allace, that euer thay wer borne, That dwelt in Scotland vs beforne

C. conj. With that and or (= ere): Before. c1420 Wynt. ii. 145.
Twa thowsand yhere and ten beforne That Cryst wes off the Madyn borne Ib. 833.
Thre hundyr … yhere beforn Or Ihesu wes off Mary born