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.
Overthrow, v. Also: ovir- and -throu, p.p. -throwen, -throwin, -throwne. [e.m.E. and M.E. over-throw(e, etc.: see Overthraw v. Cf. also Ourthrow.] (For the p.t. form see Overthraw v.)
tr. To cast down. a. To put down by force, overcome, vanquish, destroy. b. To subvert, bring to nothing (a state of affairs). c. To demolish (a building).a. a1578 Pitsc. I. 29/12.
The men of the yllis invaidit syndrie pairtis in Scotland … and speciallie the Lennox was heill ovirthrowin 1596 Dalr. I. 29/18.
Women with barne outragiouslie and fercelie thay [wolves] ouirthrows a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxiii. 12.
Quhat neids thou. Cupid, all thir dairts Me to ouirthrou 1667 Highland P. II. 42.
That the shouldiers might be overthrowen for laick of a captainb. 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 510.
Who wold our caus wer overthrowenc. 1620 Reg. Privy C. XII. 261.
The best and strongest archeis … wer overthrowne and raised to the ground c1630 Scot Narr. 9.
Abbeyes [etc.] … to be utterly overthrowne
