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

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

Thence, Thens(e, adv. Also: thance, thynce, thyns. [ME and e.m.E. þannes (c1290), þennus (1340-70), thennis, (fro) thennes (both Wyclif), thens (1400), thence (1535), also (fro) thennes forth (Chaucer), (fro) thens forward (1457), f. earlier þenne with genitive suffix -(e)s. Cf. Thine adv.]

1. From there, from that place, freq., from (fro) thence.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 665.
So saw he cummand, ane lyttill than from thence, Ane worthie doctour of diuinitie a1500 Henr. Orph. 215.
Wyth wofull hert than passit he doun fro thens 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 210.
The prejudice is so mutche the moir by the restreant and prohibitioun maid in England that no wroght ledder salbe transportit frome thense to this kingdome 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 452.
That yow suffer no shipes from thence [Holland] to … liver any goods in your port till they be first visited c1648 Turner Mem. 238.
Himself and his Irishes … fled to the Iles and from thence to Ireland(2) 1513 Doug. iii ii 95 (Ruddim.).
It is not thens lang cours nor viage fer 1513 Doug. iii i 27.
Thar lyis a weirly cuntre weil far thens 1513 Doug. III viii 96.
A fell rage rowting of the sey Alang way thens

2. From that time; thenceforth, thenceforward, chiefly from thence(fordwart), frathancefurth.(1) 1513 Doug. Concl. 15.
Thus vp my pen and instrumentis full ȝor On Virgillis post I fix for evirmor, Nevir, from thens, syk materis to discryve 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1285.
The guiltie man … law free for that fact from thence To libertie inlairg'd(b) 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 362.
Fra thyns [1821 fra that time furth] the miraclis cessitt(2) 1513 Doug. ii ii 67.
From thens [Sm. than] fordwart, Vlixes mair and mayr With new crymys begouth affray me sair(b) 1637 Aberd. B. Rec. III 111.
Frathancefurth the saids magistrattis and counsell sall be frie frome payment(3) 1611-57 Mure Cry of Blood 432.
That not one dyat of His Church hath thence Been mar'd from meeting

3. From that, as a cause or reason; thus. 1509 Rec. Earld. Orkney 83.
Thynce it is that I, the forsaid lawman, to your universite makis knawin [etc.]