A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Nocht-than, adv. Also: -thane. [Only Sc.: cf. ME. nocht for þan (c 1230), noȝt uor þan (1297), noȝth for than (1422), and e.m.E. (once) not for thenne (Malory).]
Nevertheless, however, for all that, even so.Very common in Leg. S., where also the sense is appar. sometimes weakened to that of a more or less ‘empty’ anaphoric or linking word, = ‘so, indeed’.a1400 Leg. S. iii. 1038.
That all are lyk and ȝet nocht-than In ilke face in sum degre Men fyndis diuersyte Ib. xxvii. 901.
& Sanct Machor gert hym nocht-than Resawe baptym Ib. xxix. 75.
& … mad sacrifice Til ydolis … ; Nocht-than the dedis of mercy He oysit to do Ib. iii. 465, vi. 261, xxvii. 90, xxviii. 93, xxxiii. 323, etc. 1456 Hay I. 142/23. Ib. 168/15, 175/32, etc.
Nochtthan thai hald nocht that thai [clerics] suld bere armes defensives with armes invasives c1460 Thewis Gud Women 53. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 46 (Harl.).
That prudent prynce … Set he his plesaunce previt, … Nocht than his state he said … Wes … verray vanyte Ib. 476. a1500 Bk. Chess 1489.
And this Egipt for slauchter of this man Was takyn tyte & innocent nocht than And grantit it
