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

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

Better, Bettir, adj. and n. Also: bettire, bettyr(e, betir, betyr(e, bettre, bytter, byter. [ME. better, bettre, betre, betere, OE. betera, -ere, used as comparative of gód Gude adj.]

1. adj. More excellent, profitable, etc. a. In attributive use.a1400 Leg. S. xliii. 173.
Betyre odire I cane neuir fele c1420 Wynt. v. 2043.
A bettyre lessown newyre wes red Ib. 2840.
In bettyre state than … before 1456 Hay I. 155/13.
A better hors Ib. II. 112/9.
Men wald … purvay thame of better clething c1500-c1512 Dunb. iv. 79.
Two bettir fallowis did no man se 1560 Rolland Seven S. 45/28.
To haue ane better tre 1563-1570 Buch. 30.
Ane bettir terme nor Witsonday a1578 Pitsc. I. 4/10.
That this wark may haue the bettir speid 1597 Acts IV. 154/2.
For the better vphald therof 1641 Ib. V. 413/2.
For the bettir breeding of the studentes

b. In predicate, or absolute. Also with the.a1400 Leg. S. xxv. 38.
Sa gud or betyr for to be c1420 Wynt. vi. 1630.
Hys wyll the bettyre wes thare-to Ib. vii. 76.
Quhat tyme na nowe may bettyr be 1456 Hay II. 1150/35.
The king is the better [of that] Ib. II. 140/110.
Thir wynis … ar better na the tothir 1507 Stirling Chart. 72.
Ane gud and sufficient queyr … or bettir 1587 Conv. Burghs I. 267.
For ilk tun [of wine] ourheid, better and war 1596 Dalr. I. 6/18.
In Ingland it [sc. the ale] is bettir

c. Constr. with to, that, or clause. Frequently with ellipse of it war.a1400 Leg. S. xvi. 336.
Bettire … is that we [etc.] Ib. xl. 1153.
Bettir war to be stil 1513 Doug. iii. vi. 141.
Bettir is thou seik the cost about 1560 Rolland Seven S. 52/28.
Better thow had not spokin 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 239.
Better to thame haue bene vnborne a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxiii. 33.
Better war leif my paper quhyt

2. n. Better fortune or lot; advantage.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 3029.
To byde with him still for the bettirc1420 Wynt. viii. 6860.
The Inglis men The bettyr had off that jowrne then1456 Hay I. 60/26.
Unes mycht men se quha had the better a1500 Rauf C. 31.
He saw thair was na better bot God at the last 1535 Stewart 10797.
Quhen he knew that na better mycht be c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2050.
No man mycht juge … Quha gat the better nor the war

3044

dost