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.
Contravaill, v. Also: -vaile, -waile, -wall, -veale, -weall; contrevaill. [e.m.E. contrevaile (var. of countre-, countervaile, AF. countre-) OF. contrevaloir, L. contrā valēre.] tr. To equal in value; to counterbalance; to reciprocate.1569-73 Bann. Memor. 156.
Whairvpoun gritter thingis dependis than … the lyves of sic as ony of vs tua may contraveale [v.r. -weall] Ib. 157.
In consideratioune that the one will ever contravaile [v.r. -waile] the vther a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 124.
Sewin sonis ȝe had mycht contrawall [Q. -vaill] his thre 1592 Warrender P. II. 178.
I am nocht able … to contrevaill the smallest pairt of your majesties favour
