Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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.

Over-, Ovirgang, v. Also: ower-, owir-. [ME. overgange(n, OE. ofergangan: cf. Ourgang.After the 13th c. appar. only north. and after the 14th chiefly or only Sc. (but uncommon till the later 16th c.). In the mod. dial., Sc. (chiefly) and north. Eng., as owergang etc.]

1. tr. a. To tread over, trample upon. b. To overcome, get the better of. c. To overrule, oppress. a1500 Sir Eger 1305.
Let not your will over-gang your wit 1567 G. Ball. 108.
Thow sall strampe on the edderis stang … The lyounis craig thow sall ouer gang Ib. 141.
To suffer tyrannis … ȝour liegis till ouergang a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcv. 66.
Quhat causis thevis ws ouirgang Bot want of iustice ws amang 1572 Sat. P. xxxviii. 62.
Thocht hangmen ouirgang men … Ȝe kill bot the carcase 1573 Davidson Ib. xlii. 964. 1581 Sempill Ib. xliii. 117. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 1022.
Might overgangs right Ib. No. 1323.
The shots overgangs the old swyne 1627 Banff Ann. I. 57.
Give your wisdomes suffer him on punischeit he will owirgang the rest of the toune 1634 Black Sc. Witches 14.
For work what you can your teeth shall overgang your hands

2. To overspread, overgrow, overrun.Also, to become overspread (with). 1570 Sat. P. xvi. 86.
I thinke the holkis ouergangis ȝour ene 1573 Davidson Ib. xlii. 734.
From wickit beistis wald cum amang it For till destroy and clene ouirgang it 1596 Dalr. I. 122/19.
Quha … lattis gude ground … ouirgang with weidis

3. int. To pass, elapse. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1366.
Madame, lat this ane nicht ouirgang