A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1513-1609
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Grave, Graif, a. [e.m.E. (1541) and F. grave, L. gravis.]
1. Of weight or importance, serious. In the phr. grave mater(is. 1513 Doug. Postscript 16.
Syth syk twa monethis … [I] Wrait neuir a word, … For grave materis and gret solicitud 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 176.
A man to be vsit [in] hiear and gravar materis 1533 Boece v. v. 174 b, 1533 Ib. vi. ii. 187 b, etc.
Trebellius … vsing the avise of Britan nobillis in graif materis
2. Of persons, their character, behaviour, aspect, etc.: Grave, dignified, sober. Also comb. grave-like.(a) 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 145.
For til perform the poet grave and sad 1513 Ib. xiii. Prol. 130.
The grave study I have so long forleit a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitland Folio MS xxx. 68.
All grave purpois is trist and but confort a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS lxxxviii. 50.
Gif ȝe be grave ȝour gravite is chekit 1582 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 565.
It is requisite that … he be … grave and digest in his behaviour(b) 1533 Boece xvi. vii. 622 b.
Graif men of prudence and wisdome 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 175/27.
Cald, graif and pacient in his bissynes a1568 Scott iii. 43.
Be richt demvre & graif quhan ȝe ask grace 1570 Satirical Poems x. 23.
Twa graif lyke persounis of greit maiestie 1600 Criminal Trials II. 149.
Sumquhat daschit be his Maiesteis graif and constant speicheis and ressonis
3. Of dress: Sober, plain, sombre. 1575 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 335.
That thair haill habite be of grave collour 1609 Acts IV. 435/2.
That euerie preacheour of Goddis word shall … wear blak, grave and comelie apparrell
4. a. Weighty, heavy. 1513 Doug. v. viii. 54.
Hys grave body … with huge weght and sayr, Ruschyt flatlyngis to the grond
b. In the phrases grave with child, in age.(1) 1533 Boece iii. xvi. 114 b.
Genissa the Romane lady graif with chylde 1533 Ib. ix. iii. 290 b, Ib. xviii. 336.
Vter, apprehending the lady, … made hir grave with child(2) 1533 Ib. iii. vi. 99b.
King Eder … , grave in age and hevily twichit with infirmite, … deceissit 1533 Ib. xx. 120 b.
Ane man … expert in weris, grave in age [L. gravis ætate], … suld in Albion be send
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"Grave adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 24 Apr 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/grave_adj>
