Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Overthraw, v. Also: ovir-, ower-, -ir- and -thrawe, p.t. -threw(e, p.p. -thrawin(e, -en, -thrauin, -en, -thrawne, -thraune, also -thraw. [Sc. form, corresp. to ME. (Piers Plowman) and e.m.E. over-þrowe, -throw(e, p.t. -þrew(e (c 1330), p.p. -þrowe, -throwe(n (Chaucer), f. Over adv. 2 and Thraw v. Cf. Ourthraw and Overthrow.]

1. tr. To throw down. a. To overturn, capsize. b. To cast down (into prison). c. To demolish.a. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1363 (E).
This gudelie carwell … Was on the bairdin wallis quite ouirthraw c1590 Fowler I. 174/14.
Bot thow … beautyes sea … Dois rease thy stormes … To drone me in lovs sees and overthraweb. c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxxiii. 49.
Quhen Daniell wes overthrawin [Cullen Chron. Aberd. fair ouirthraune] In presoun deipc. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 3/17.
And the haly citie to be se ouirthrawin 1596 Dalr. I. 34/7.
A noble clostre … quhilke the … Caluinists ouirthrew 1622 Scot Course of Conformity 79.
The mowdiworts in Thessaly that overthrew a whol towne

2. To cast down, vanquish, defeat, destroy. = Ourthraw v. 2 and 3. Also absol.(a) a1500 Colk. Sow ii. 223.
Quhat may thay do to thair pairty contrare, Thay may weill quyt and ouirthraw thame at all 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 48.
The Quenis craftines wes abill … to ouerthraw the Erll of Murrays sempilnes Ib. 1567 G. Ball. 47.
Thow man ouerthraw sin hell and deide 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xl. 189.
This excellent seruand of the Lord … was hatit … ȝit … him micht thay not ouirthraw Ib. 215.
Sa I can se nathing sa sone ouirthraw Man in this eirth as dois this vprichtnes 1596 Dalr. I. 152/3.
He intendet to ouirthrawe the hail nobilitie 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 24.
A valerous … hart that na tribulation can brek or ouerthraw 1629 Justiciary Cases I. 130.
Scho be hir witchcraft … did overthraw hurt and pitiefullie damnifie thame in thair persones and guidisabsol. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 733.
Vnkyndlie captanes ouirthrawis And commoun welth doun drawis(b) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 169.
Be lang battall of virtew aganis his unhappy infortuniteis he ouirthrew Fortoun 1567 G. Ball. 81.
He ouerthrew The serpent and his vennemous stang 1596 Dalr. I. 259/12.
The … gout … vttirlie ouirthrew his preclare jugementis 1622-6 Bisset I. 27/4.
Lawlie humilitie … overthrew … crowall invy(c) ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 69.
Be Saxounis als ȝe war ouerthrawin 1531 Bell. Boece I. 164.
Gretest schrewis maist autorist, and virtuous personis maist ouirthrawin 1535 Stewart 40126.
Lattand thi liegis dalie be ouirthrawin With ȝone tirrane 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2371.
Quhen misdoars ar with ȝour sword overthrawin [: awin] a1568 Scott viii. 18. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 517.
Conqueist ouirthrawin with ony mortall man 1567 G. Ball. iii. Ib. 177.
Thay had ouerthrawin vs with slycht c1590 Fowler 98/32. Ib. 132/36.
Ouerthrauen 1596 Dalr. I. 84/15.
How sair saevir the weiris had ouirthrawin thame Ib. 273/22.
Quhen this king saw his peple sa sair ouirthrawin [etc.](b) a1578 Pitsc. I. 114/17.
Bot quhen the Earle of Douglas landis and men war owerthrawin witht sic callameties 1651 Echt Kirk S. in Strathbogie Presb. xiii.
Till thai war owerthrawin at Philiphauche

3. To conquer, subjugate, bring down (a nation, state, people, etc.). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 517.
[Rome] Quhilk neuer was … ouirthrawin with ony mortall man Sen Romulus [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 118.
For Jacob and his hous thay sair ouerthraw a1578 Pitsc. I. 27/24.
Beith he and his authoritie sould be contempnit and the commonweill … wickitlie to be ovirthrawin c1590 Fowler II. 161/28.
Ouerthrauen 1596 Dalr. I. 265/8.
The citie of Florens, than wracket and ouirthrawen 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 144.
That the kingdome of Sathane may be owerthrawine

4. To overthrow, subvert, bring to nothing, set aside (an established order, plan or course). 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I. 525.
Least reasoun suld haue owerthrawin this hir later will amangis the nobilitie 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III. 497.
[The course intended by your honour … is almost] quytte overthrawen 1588 King Cat. 113.
Gif the sacrament of order be ouerthrauin 1596 Dalr. I. 214/16.
The thinges quhilkes throuch the negligence of King Constantine … war ouirthrawne 1622-6 Bisset I. 64/2.
All the said Makbaithis devillische consaittis wes overthrawin Ib. 123/3.
Bevar … that thow over thraw nocht iustice be haittred 1624 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 507.
To … alter or overthraw this my will and testament