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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Propos(e, -pois(e, n. Pl. also: -posses. [e.m.E. and ME propose (a1325), -pos (c1400), F. propos Purpos n.]

1. (One's) object in doing something; (one's) objective or aim.To tak propose, to take a decision about some intended action.= Purpos n. 1.(1) 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 88.
Sua that I may nocht be absent for resisting of thame … quhill that I may se forther of ther propose 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 544.
To what propos shold yow open your pak and sell none of your wares a1561 Norvell Meroure 7a.
That he might better, his propose fulfill 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 48.
Ȝit he persistit in his propose to distroy the regent Ib. 51.
Seing that thai could not cum to thair propose this way 1581 Burne Disput. 157.
To quhat propos seruis the obseruation of the lauis … institute be the Paip? 1601 Cal. Sc. P. XIII 911.(2) 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 46.
The Erll of Murray … tuke neuir propose without his … counsale(3) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 353.
[Time does not now serve for] these proposses Ib. 479.
I pray yow kepe the originall [document], for … it may perhaps serve hereafter for some propos 1597 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II 323.
Or onie utheris ministers quhae sal seme meit for the propose

b. A plan or project. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 48.
This propose not proceeding as he desyrit, he [etc.] 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I 535.
She [was] not willing to spill the propois that wes sa far broght to pas 1585 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 31. c1590 J. Stewart 24/341.
Stay vill I not my propois for refuse, Bot sall incarnat my intent till end

2. a. (One's) plan for a literary composition. b. The subject under discussion. c. An assertion, argument or theme.= Purpos n. 2.a. c1590 J. Stewart 7/34.
[My patron's] pen preclair May best my propos mak perfitb. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 15.
That gud ordre be kepit in disputing, without superfluite of wordis nothyng partening to the propos 1573 Tyrie in Cath. Tr. 6/15.
The similitude mair propre to oure propois Ib. 14/14.
All this discurs is sa vane and sa litill to the propos that I wat nocht weill at quhat pairt I suld beginc. 1573 Tyrie in Cath. Tr. 16/23.
Gif ye hed ansuerit to the propois [etc.] c1590 J. Stewart 35/200.
For meschant mouths … vill … Prepair sum propos of ane sempill ground Quhair thay may purches place and audiens Ib. 84/153.
Impolist pen, to propose new proceid, Returne to text

3. Conversation; discourse. 1586 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 357.
Eftir sum uthir propose of complement, he prayit that thayr mycht be playne dealing betuixt him and me

4. To be in, of or on propos (to do something), to be determined, to have a (specified) intention.Cf. Purpos n. II.(1) 1568–9 Anderson Collect. Mary IV ii 187.
That ȝe are in propos to change the Provost of Elgin(2) 1569 Reg. Privy C. II 59.
My lord … being of deliberat mynd and propois to repare … to the burgh of Air(3) 1573–4 Reg. Privy C. II 329.
The said Robert … is on propoise … to purches ane licence to depart out of the cuntrie

5. To put (a person's name) in propose, to put forward for consideration. 1597 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II 324.
William Leslie or onie utheris quhae sal presentlie be put in propose