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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.

Cummer, Cumber, v. Also: cumbir, -ar, cumbr-, combr-; cummir, -yr, -ar, cwmmer, -yr; cumer, -ir, -yr, cumr-, cwmer, -ir. [ME. cumber, cumbren (c 1300), comber, combr-, comer, app. a reduced form of en- or accumber.]

1. tr. To hamper or hinder from free movement or action; to impede. 1375 Barb. vi. 141 (E).
Hys hors, that wes born down, Combryt [C. Cummerit] thaim the upgang to ta Ib. xv. 31. Ib. xv. 39.
The barell ferraris, that war thar Cumbryt thaim fast that ridand war c1420 Wynt. viii. 2064.
Mare cumryd off that blode he was c1475 Wall. i. 229.
The pres was thik, and cummerit thaim full fast Ib. ix. 1634.
To ground the slyp can ga, Cumryt the ȝet, stekyng thai mycht nocht ma 1513 Doug. ix. vii. 34.
Scarsly a strait rod … Tharin mycht fundyn be that men mycht pas, Quharthrou Eurialus gretly cummyrrit was Ib. xi. xvii. 46.
Sa thik thaime cummyrris the pres throng to the tovn

2. To harass by fighting or hardships. 1375 Barb. vi. 429.
Douglas … In schort tym cummerit thaim sua, That weill nane eschapit thaim fra Ib. xiv. 298.
In schort tyme … Thai of Irland war cummyrrit swa That thai durst nane abyde no mar c1475 Wall. vii. 969.
Ye haiff enewch, that sall thaim cummyr sa c1500-c1512 Dunb. l. 14.
Full many catherein hes he cheist, And cummered mony Helland gaist 1533 Boece iii. v. 97.
Gif ȝe think that … be skant of victualis ȝe may cummyr and tyre the Romane armye

3. To harass; to trouble, distress, or disturb severely; to involve in difficulties.In common use (esp. in the form cummer) from 1545 to 1600.(a) 1375 Barb. xi. 198 (E).
Suld I tell all thar affer, … Thoucht I couth, I suld combryt be c1420 Wynt. v. 3792.
That he wald lows hym off his syne And bandys that he was cumbryd in Ib. ix. Prol. 36.
Offt fynd impediment Wytlv sudane and fers maladis, That me cumbris mony wis 1567 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 102.
We … will cumber ȝou with na langer letter 1583 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 981.
Gud Clemet Marit had a lowne, A knaif that cumbart all the towne 1596 Dalr. I. 111/18.
Quhilke opinioune trulie was nocht of smal effecte to keip the Scottismen frome cumbiring thair commoune weil(b) Brus xi. 198.
Thouch I couth, I suld cummeryt be c1460 Thewis Wysmen 350.
Thai cummyr nocht our oft the kirk 1513 Doug. i. v. 89.
Juno, that with gret onrest Now cummyrris erd, sey, and ayr 1535 Stewart 59670.
With tha catiues richt lang we haif bene cummerit 1547 Maxwell Mem. I. 291.
We will nocht that he be ony forther cummerit in the said mater 1567 G. Ball. 107.
Na suddand chance of uncouth slycht Sall cummer thé a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxx. 39.
Thus am I cummerit with ane quene; God gif I wer ane wedo now a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xxi. 59.
Thai cummar bayth the kirk and sessioun 1593 Lennox Mun. 355.
It wes to cummer the carle he did it 1607 Bk. Carlaverok II. 65.
This berar … mon have my chartour of the altarage of Carlaverok to produce aganis ane minister that cummeris hym(c) 15.. Clar. v. 2731.
Thair coursis all to tell ȝow it wald cumer 1554 Corr. M. Lorraine 393.
I will nocht cwmer your lordship with ma wordis a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcviii. 31.
Bettir it war the lordis till aggre Nor with strangeris to cwmir this cuntre 1596 Dalr. II. 329/17.
[There] cumirt thame … partlie the cummer with Boloyne [etc.] 1624 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 136.
He was ever cumerit with ȝow and thocht to haue dung ȝow