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.
Compesce, v. [L. compescere. In ME. as compesse (Lydgate); otherwise only Sc.]. tr. To restrain, repress, curb. (Common after 1640.)1637 Gillespie Eng. Pop. Cerem. 176.
By a co-active power to compesce the turbulent 1643 Acts VI. 56/2.
Iff any tumult … breake furth … to wse all meanes to compesce the same 1675 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV. 660.
The magistrats … endevoring to compesce the tumult … were threatned and abused a 1686 Turner Mem. 53.
The mutinie was with some difficultie compescd by myselfe
