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.
Cowart, Coward, n. Also: couard, cowhaird; couert. [ME. cowart (rare), coward, early cuard, OF. cowairt, couart, -ard, early coart, cuard. Cf. also e.m.E. cowhe(a)rd.] A coward.(a) 1375 Barb. xi. 244 (E).
Be liklynes the mast cowart Semyt full weill to do his part Ib. xv. 521.
The mast cowart He maid stoutar than a libart 1456 Hay I. 279/29.
To geve lak and dishonour to cowartis or flearis fra bataillis Ib. II. 51/28.
Rycht sa ar unworthi cowartis c1475 Wall. v. 891.
Men weyll may se, Cowartis ye ar, that for so few wald fle c1515 Asl. MS. I. 155/23.
The son … be drawin out of thair spretis makis thaim cowartis of hert 1531 Bell. Boece II. 18.
I am he that sal … punis febill cowartis with torment and schame 1535 Stewart 503.
That contering gart mony cowart quaik 1562-3 Winȝet I. 26/19.
Gif ony … hid him self as ane cowart at hame a1578 Pitsc. I. 231/18.
Na couerttis nor pykthankis sould be trust in his companie Ib. II. 98/25.
Ȝe wald leif all behind ȝow and flie as ane cowart(b) 1456 Hay I. 84/29.
He seis that all men dois honoure … till a hardy man, and dishonour till a coward Brus xv. 523 (C).
The mast coward Stoutar he maid than a libard ?1438 Alex. i. 626.
I sal not pas out of this feild, … quhill I sie sa great mellie That cowardis sall anoyit be a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xiii. 30.
Love maks a couard kene 1591-2 Rob Stene 18.
O heich, heroik, merciall mynd! That nevir come of cowhairdis kynd
