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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Try, Trie, v. Also: trye, tray(e. [ME and e.m.E. treye (c1325), try (Manning), trie (c1440), trye (c1515), OF trier.]There is some ambiguity and overlap between the senses.

1. tr. To refine (metal). 1524 Acts XII 41/1.
The gold gais furth of the sammyn [sc. realm] in greit quantite becaus it is tryit to ane hieare price and valoure in vthir realmis 1591 Edzell Doc. in Crawford MSS (Rylands Lib.) 2.
Be the tennor of the said chartor hes gewin … to the saidis compleneris … mettall myndis … with power to them to find owt vin wark fyn & try

2. To ascertain or discover by way of enquiry or investigation; to investigate; to find out (furtht). Also const. for the object of the inquiry and with clause object. Also absol.(1) pres. 1565 Old Dundee I 76.
Gif he can try ony person breking the glass woundoks … the person … sall recompense and pay him the vaill of the skayth 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 215.
Her maister, to the intent that hee might the better trie and finde out the truth … did … torment her with the torture of the pilliwinkes 1591 Reg. Morton I 178.
Gif I may owther be moyane or force try the [stolen] gudis or the part quhair thai ar ȝoure [Lordschip] salhaif ane gude proofe of my trauellis 1600 Elgin Rec. II 79.
The gudmane of Corridoun hes promeist to try furth the persone that cam to charme his wyfe by his witting. The minister exhortis to try sic personis as charmis that they may be puneist 1600 Crim. Trials II 253.
And ye try it not out, ye sall yit sum day mak us all ane sorrowfull morning; if ye rype not wp … it is a manifest tempting of God! … befoir quhom thai salbe countit tratouris, one day, if thai keip up the leist chope of it, quhilk they can try out 1607 Dundonald Par. Rec. 138.
To pay James Harper quha cam to try the pest 1630 Linlithgow B. Rec. 3 Dec.
The baillies to sicht and try the haill towne quha hes sett hours to sick [idle] personnes 1660 Johnston Diary III 124.
I went out but to trye the newes and just as I am returning [etc.] 1664 Glasgow B. Rec. III 45.
Recommendit to the deane of gild and deacon conveiner to try out ane man to joyne with Finniesoune for a tyme for making of the gravesp.t. a1561 Norvell Meroure 6b.
Sinne that tyrane, to augment their wo As sleughound tryed: their traces to and fro, Following the footsteps, of the Law so nere 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 22.
And how eftir ȝour power ȝe tryit out ane part of the cheif tratouris frome amangis the … subjectisp.p 1549 Compl. 130/17.
Quhen the committaris of trason ar tryit furtht, it sal be fundyn that I and al vthir of my faculte sal be clene and innocentis of that foule cryme 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 52.
The great embassadouris … efter thai … had tryed the deip of Muntrois heavine and of certane vther places … returned to Flanderis 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 52.
He … send ane roll of the lordis of thair syde quhairin wes comprehendit … mony of thair aduersaries beleving that leyis maid in Scotland could not be tryit in Lundoun(2) 1653 Caldwell P. 108.
Quhen he went to search and try for the lard's hors that was stollen 1655 Glasg. Univ. Mun. III 496.
Given to J. Morisoune for going to Air to try for some massounes(3) 1581 Conv. Burghs I 124.
Concerning the captiues at Argieris … referris vnto him to trye and inquyre gif thai be for lyfe or nocht 1615 Melrose P. 236.
So sone as I can try quhat pairt of his maiesties dominions Sir James hes takin to, … I sall not be long wnpersewing him 1618 Aberd. B. Rec. II 358.
That the magistrattis … try quhair the best knockmacker may be had 1659 Glasgow B. Rec. II 417.
To ryd to Judge Ker to try quhen his leasour wold serve to goe and sight the harberie 1665 Cramond Kirk S. II 30 April.
The session desyres George Wilkie to trye at Over Cramond among Margrat Duncan her freends if they can tell quhair [she] resides 1665 Cramond Kirk S. II 30 April.
To try at a workman what the expences of the said work will come to(b) 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 193.
A letter [is to be written] to Mr. William Meldrum minister at Tranent to tray if he will imbrace a call from the councill to be ane of the ministers of Edinburgh(4) absol. 1585 Lett. Jas. VI to Eliz. 15.
So farr as I can tray, [it] uas indeid uanted of by him

3. To test the truth (of something); to distinguish truth from falsity by a trial of some sort. Also with non-material subject. a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 134/26.
This ȝe may perceaue quhow vonderfullye God tryis the trueth of His vorde, nocht onely be godly men his ministeris, bot also be vicket instrumentes 1562-3 Winȝet II 11/26.
The treuth of thare pley be support of this father mot be tryit and silence put to the erroneous 1565 Facs. Nat. MSS III xlvii.
That he wes contentit to cum to hir Maiestie for declaratioun of the trewth of the report [etc.] … And hir Maiestie uilling that the trewth and simple veritie of the said vntrew brute may be tryit [etc.] 1558-66 Knox I 39.
As concernyng miracles, he declaired, what diligence the ancientis took to try trew miracles frome false 1558-66 Knox II 296.
‘Weill’, said the other, ‘tyme will try the treuth’ 1570 Sat. P. xxxvii 5.
For, fra that tyme and treuthe thair talis haue tryit The suythe sall schaw it selffe out to thair schame

4. To test (a person, thing, etc.) with regard to his or its quality, ability to endure, etc.; to subject to scrutiny, stress or the like. Also const. out. a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 22/30.
Be wyse and tentie in thy gouerning And try thame weill in quham thow will confyde a1570-86 Maitl. F. 288/28.
The sureast way … Is first to prufe … So sall affectioun not be blind For treuthe will sone try out the iust And tryall knawis quha menis dissait 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 19b.
In dowtfull maters he is tryede That doith ane faythfull frend abyde 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 27a.
With pacience luif thy nychtbowr and na ewill can thé tray c1613 Haddington Corr. 124.
Ye haif tryit my pasyence hardly aneuch heirtofor c1646 Fam. Innes 237.
I loue to trye a frind befor I haue muche neid 1650 Balfour Ann. IV 100.
As the Lord hes trayed the stabilitie and integritie of his people … by the prewailling of malignants, so doeth he now tray them by the prewailling of sectaries

b. To test (a person, his knowledge, etc.) by way of examination. 1569 Reg. Privy S. VI 132/2.
Direct to the superintendent of Abirdene, requiring him to try and examinat the doctrine, qualificatioun, literature and guid conversatioun of the said Mr. Alexander 1594 Conv. Burghs I 443.
Anent the … sending furth of … ane or ma ȝoung men for quhom the burgh sall ansuer … the … commissionares of burrowes … consents that ilk burgh … may send ane qualefeyet persoun … provyding alwayes that thai be first presentet to the saids burrowes … to be tryet and lyket of be thame 1601 Grant Burgh Schools 417.
[The master of the grammar school of Glasgow to] try the religion of the Irischemen [in his school] 1630 Blair Autob. 80.
He passed on to speak of ceremonies; tried my mind therein [etc.] 1636 Aberd. Pynours 70.
In cais any persone … desyr to be admittit a laborar at the Shoir [of Aberdeen] … they must first be tryit be the watter baillie 1641 Soc. Ant. IV 464.
Mr. Robert Lichtone tryed in the languages, chronologie, and difficult places of Scripture. Approvin

c. To test the quality or nature of (a thing) by way of examination or scrutiny. 1573 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 298.
The Assembly ordained … the said Mr. John [Rutherford] to produce his book [sc. that he has written] before the forsaid brethren … to be tryed and sighted there 1605–6 Misc. Spald. C. V 78.
Ganging to the Steinhyve to trye Jon Grayes and Alexander Crukschankis kistis, being cum fra Leytht and suspectit of the plaig 1626 Linlithgow B. Rec. 10 Feb.
The baillies and dean of gild to pas and try the heall wechtis and measoures within this burgh 1627 Rep. Parishes 93.
The presbitrie ordined the commissionars … to be … admonised of ther error and desired to mend the same and … they absolutly refusit alleging it was not pertinent to them to tray the rents of gentlemen 1648 Dalkeith Presb. in Butler Leighton 228.
The brethren and ruling elders being removed quhill ther presbyteris book wes a trying 1653 Lamont Diary 64.
After [the horses] came, they caused some of the souldirie loupe on and try them a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 65.
Such books … as (so to say) haue been tried and tasted 1664 Glasgow B. Rec. III 31.
That the kiples be tryed quhair defective 1669 Lauder Jrnl. 199.
Went to a jeweller to try the stone, who discovered it to be false tho it had ane excellent luster 1675 Edinb. B. Rec. X 220.
Alexander Meinȝies pewtherer … upon accompt of his service done to the good toune by trayeing of the leadden pyps [etc.] 1685 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 158.
The Dean of gild reported that he had tried the touns jugs … and that he fand that on of the pynt jugs … holds just a1686 Turner Mem. 184.
We saw tuo gentlemen … try the ground

5. To examine judicially, submit to legal process. a. A cause. b. An accused person. Also, to try out. Also in fig. context.a. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1382.
Quhair thay best culd try out the cryme, And clenge the caffe out fra the corne 1562 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 4.
To trye, discusse and examyn all faltis and offencis … off the haill inhabitantis off the burgh 1567 Sat. P. iii 92.
Tresoun to try sho was that tyme maist stout But sho is slak to try this tresoun out a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 430/33.
And syne gar call the college of iustyis … And try the caus off lawe the langsumnes a1605 Montg. Flyt. 78 (H).
Thy dittay was deith … Thy trumperie was tryed; thy falsit they fand 1596 Highland P. I 152.
The samin [crime] being lawfullie tryit 1631 Justiciary Cases I 166.
And thair foir remittis the cognitioun thairof to the assyse to be tryit and judget be thame 1636 Edinb. B. Rec. VII 183.
Appointes to try the inormities of the colledge James Cocherane, John Smith [etc.]b. 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 45.
Gif he will nocht lat thame on souerte at the quenis grace may haif thame in keping on to the day at thai salbe triit 1577 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 22.
Giff Christan Fodringame, Isobel Freser, [etc.] … tryit presentlie as dansares in mennes claythes … beis fundin heirefter in the like falt c1610 Jok Uplandis Newis 6b.
Then we shall waird them till thay be trayed be the judge ordinare quhomsoever and punished conforme to the offence

c. To decide (a cause) by physical combat. a1500 Sir Eger 1078.
She … said, it was no mastery, Where there comes against a party: But when there is a knight for knight, They must do more to try a right 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I 260.
I am content to defend the said quarrell to my honour befoir Franche & Scottishe, boding as ye pleis on horse or fuitt, thair to be tryit betwix our bodeis, unto the deyth 1619 Ritchie Ch. S. Baldred 179.
The playeris [of football] … to be tryit, and to be wairnit to compeir befor the session the nixt day

d. To question, interrogate (a suspect, witness, etc.), ? to take precognition from. 1583–4 Ayr B. Acc. 149.
[To John McKnedar procurator-fiscal] to try out burgessis [£5] 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 183.
To caus try out Jonet Cleraucht, sister to the said Margrat [suspected witch] 1658 Rothesay B. Rec. 23.
John M^cGilchrist hes takein himself to farder deliberatioun of the said persute be oathe that he [sc. Patrick M^cConochie] maid no malt to unfriemen till he try his [sc. Patrick M^cConochie's] vyffe 1660 Honours Scotl. 124.
After I had told the money I misse fyfteen pound starlin. I tryes my man and the maid … for my money

6. To find or prove, after examination, investigation or trial (a person or thing) (to be) as specified or that (a person or thing) is as specified. Also without construction.(1) 1569 Sc. Hist. Rev. I 40.
I can not be accusit to have concealed treason al [sic] the mater be tryed treason; And thogh jt war treason yit haue not I offendit [etc.] 1571 J. Maitland in Sat. P. xxvii 95.
To Fergus bluid we rather will obey Nor in our tyme be tratoris tryitt vntrew 1573 Davidson in Sat. P. xl 119.
In Latine toung his propernes Was tryit trim quhen scollers wer present 1586 Cal. Sc. P. IX 46.
Ane Gray, allegit Englishman, quhome we have tryed a Scottisheman in deid 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V 178.
To remayne [in ward] … quhill thai be tryet fowle or clene a1605 Montg. Sonn. v 6.
Ȝe knau Occasio hes no hair behind, The bravest spreits hes tryde it treu, I trou 1616 Laing MSS 148.
These who salbe tryed negligent or undewtifull may be censured 1622-6 Bisset I 259/1.
Ressones and causis … quhilk … at the discussing of the saidis suspensionis do try untreu and fals(2) 1592 Paisley B. Rec. 87.
The … first act of annexatioun … quhilk his majestie and estaitis forsaidis hes acknawlegit and tryit to haue bene writtin erroneouslie 1602 Edinb. Surgeons 31.
Vndir the pain of fourtie schillingis sa oft as he salbe funden and tryd to do in the contrair 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 85.
Nicole in Bustay is tryit to be lawfullie warneit be croce to this court 1607 Dundee B. Laws 410.
Gif ony maister beis tryit to misbehawe himselff … [he] sall pay fyve pund(3) 1589–90 St. A. B. Ct. 6 March.
Exponit and delyverit that in respect off thair wnworthie forme of lyffe and tryed be sufficient testimonie that they war manifest wagabondis 1599 Maxwell Mem. II 44.
It was tryed that ther were more shippes in that companye … and that this baggage barke had medled with nothing 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 30.
It is tryit that Magnus Meilling hes trublit Magnus Coupland in ane frie coupstay 1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 52.
Quhen he tryit that hir messour ves not gud he and scho fell to flyting 1642 Peebles Gleanings 240.
James Dikesoun, callit Lernend, being tryit to be ane notorious loun and theif(4) 1601 Cal. Sc. P. XIII 831.
He has been imprisoned upon some accusations of one Turner and one Thomson … who … have denied the substance of it again, so that there is nothing] trayit [of him in that matter] 1605 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 16.
Quhensoevir any nichtbour … sall be lawfullie requiret to accept any burding [etc.] … in the commoun weill and … wilfullie … refuissis upoun the pretence of any frievoll or fenyeit excuissis, swa fund and trayet be the provest [etc.] … [he] sall … tyne his friedome 1618 Crim. Trials III 465.
Bot sensyne, he hes tryit that he is altogidder innocent thairof 1622-6 Bisset I 110/27.
They nethir directlie nor indirectlie have obtenit thair presentationis … for gold [etc.] … and gif evir the contrarie may be tryed, they to be haldin as perjured and infamous persones

b. To come across, experience (a state of affairs). 1614 Lett. Eccl. Affairs II 369.
We haue tryed heir greatar contempte and obstinacie in the rebelles les … willing obedience in the people then we could foresie or did expect

7. absol. or intr. To reflect, consider, take stock. a1568 Scott iv 23.
To try in tyme take tent 1581 Sempill in Sat. P. xliii 151.
Try or ȝe tine him, and trow not all thay spak

8. To attempt, essay. Also, const. out. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 154/121.
Nixt that a turnament wes tryid [M. Syn till ane turnament fast thai hyit] 15.. Sym & Bruder 97.
Than all the laddis tryd with a lairrum To flud him & to flyr him 1652 Lindores A. 211.
That who sall be deprehended … cuting … the comunion tables … casting bullets or trying ony pastyme upon the sabbath day shall [etc.] 1652 Glasgow B. Rec. II 252.
James Clerk to remove his scoole … this nixt weicke, and … to try out … ane scoole in ane more commodious place

b. To try (one's) hand, to attempt (something) by oneself, test one's own skill (at doing something). 1669 Jus Populi (1669) 382/3.
And if he will not rest satisfied therewith, let him try his hand, and answere what is there said, if he can