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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sprent, v. [North. ME sprent (Cursor M.), sprente (?a1400), ON *sprenta.]

1. intr. To move quickly, spring, leap, jump. Chiefly const. prep.: a. Of persons, animals, etc. See also Furthsprent p.t. and p.p. b. Of things.a. 1375 Barb. xii 49.
Sprent thai samyn in-till a ling ?1438 Alex. ii 8683.
He sprent furth, couered vnder sheild a1500 Rauf C. 812.
He sprent on the bent c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 242.
Wyth spirit affrayde apon my fete I sprent Amang the clewis 1513 Doug. iii iii 52.
Furth of my bed on fute son sprent I than, And, strekand vp my handis towart hevyn, Myne oryson I maid 1513 Doug. vi vii 104.
Fast eftir hir furth sprent Ene 1513 Doug. ix vii 25.
The horsmen than prekis, and fast furth sprentis To weil beknawin pethis 1513 Doug. xi x 23.
The curser … sprentis furth, and full provd walxis he, Heich strekand vp his hed with mony a ne 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 269.
On fut I sprent into my bair sark, Wilfull fortill compleit my langsum wark 1513 Doug. xiii iv 76.
This litill rowt [of ants] furth sprentis … fleand thai wait nocht quhar c1590 J. Stewart 116 § 5.
Suddan fall may tham iniuir Quho clymmyng vp dois suiftlie sprentb. 1513 Doug. v iii 92.
Befor the laif Gyas schyp furth sprent Ourslydand wallys croppys byssely c1590 J. Stewart 65/14.
Vith nales speid than this my pen may sprent

2. Of a thing: To spring by breaking, fly apart (in (to) splinters). ?1438 Alex. ii 8585.
He smait ane Grecian in the sheild That hede and helme sprent [F. voler] in the feild a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 618.
Thair speris in splendris sprent c1475 Wall. x 23.
Speris … all in to splendrys sprent

b. Of the spirit: To be separated from the body (by death). c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 35b/13.
Wald thow remembir with schame as I wes schent Fra I wes borne quhill that my spereit wes sprent That neuir had rest bot pyne nycht and day Quhill I but rewcht vpoun the rud wes rent

3. Of blood: To spurt out. a1450 Fifteen Ois 246.
Throw wickit Jowis thi flesche rent, With scurging thi blud out sprent In aboundance

4. tr. To sprinkle, spatter with something. 1513 Doug. iv i 43.
Our hows with brodyrris ded wes sprent [L. sparsos fraterna caede]

5. intr. Of a smell: To rise up. 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 142.
Redolent odour vp from rutis sprent