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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Of, Off, adv. Also: ofe, offe, and Af. [ME. and e.m.E. of, off (14–15th c.), ofe (15th c.), OE. of: cf. the prep.]

1. Expressing removal or separation; off, away. a. Not immediately preceding (freq. following) a verb or verbal noun.Also (2) ? combined with Of prep. (cf. also Af adv. A 3), and (3) with ellipsis of a verb.For many further examples, see the various common verbs of removal or separation, as Cast v. 3, Cut v. 4, Hint v. 1 c (3), Lat v.¹ 10 a (4), rug, strike, take, etc.(1) a1500 Peblis to Play 157.
The girding brak and he flew of 1513 Doug. v. iv. 95.
The marynaris … Inforcis of to schowyn the schyp to save c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiii. 16.
That wald for invy byt of his neis 1535 Stewart 11983.
Lymmis war lachit hard of be the kne Ib. 57536.
He … of his claithis suddantlie hes done 15.. Clar. i. 94.
Clariodus did of his hewmind hint 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1739.
His halk … was neuer cast of till assay, Bot [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 195.
Cast ȝour pantonis of 1571 Sat. P. xxix. 34.
Quhen helistis, he schaks hir of be diuorce a1578 Pitsc. I. 40/10.
And thairfoir wrait plessant writtingis purposing to cut him of by slyght 1592 Wemyss Corr. 41.(2) c1420 Wynt. iii. 6.
Off hys fyngrys … The utmast endys … was strekyn off Ib. viii. 2903.
He gert stryk off thare off that man The hewyd 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 162.
My Lord Bothwell gangand to his bed, efter the taking of of his hois 1629 Justiciary Cases I. 119.
Taking of the said seiknes af hir husband be sorcerie(3) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1879 (Bann.).
Sum offe the heid, off sum he brak the craig c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii. 308.
Than of will my heid

b. Immediately preceding a verb (or verbal noun or noun): see Ofcast, -casting, -cutting, etc.With various active forms and with the p.p.(1) 1375 Barb. v. 641.
Bot the King … with a wysk the hed off strak ?1438 Alex. ii. 5461.
Or ellis thy hed I sall of ryf 1513 Doug. x. vii. 128.
With hys brycht brand hys rycht hand he of quhyppyt 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3420. 1589 Black Bk. Taymouth 245.
The said clan cuttit and oftuik his heid(2) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 196.
Quhene myn hewid of strekine is Befor thine eyne 1513 Doug. vi. viii. 41.
Halfhedis spulȝeit, of stowyt his erys tway 1533 Gau 58/13.
Thay ar heretikis offchorne fra the Kirk of Christ 1531 Liber Aberbr. II. 503 (see Defalk v. 1).
Becauys that the lard of Grange teynd schawys ar defalkyt and of strikyn in the haill wictualis

c. In the construction with (the thing) of (= removed, doffed). 1375 Barb. xix. 332.
Archeris a thousand With hwdis of and bowis in hand

d. In (lit. and fig.) statements of distance: Distant, away.Also fer of, Fer adv. 1. a1500 Seven S. 74.
A grene a myle of at the mast 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) ii.
So far was it of that hys ludgeing and thynges … was prouydit for him

2. a. Expressing discontinuance.See Breke v. 7a, Lefe v.¹ 8, Leve v.¹ 8, Mak v. 34, etc.b. With Lefe v.¹, Leve v.¹, qq.v., in various other senses. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1500.
Than Nicolas … To confort thame brak of of his array