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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.

Provost, -oist, n. Also: -voste, -voost, prowast; prost. [ME prouos (1340), prouost (Chaucer), provoste, OE profost (or pró-), prafost (or prá-), prouost, prauost, early OF and AN provost (12th c.), beside prevost (mod. F. prévôt), repr. early med. L. propositus, beside præpositus, prefect, head, commander, etc., subst. use of præpositus set over, placed at head, p.p. of præponere to place before. See also Provest n.] A provost, in various senses. = Provest n.

a. = Provest n. 1 and 2. b. = Provest n. 3. c. = Provest n. 4. d. = Provest n. 5.a. 1408–9 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 71.
Maister Alexander of Carnys prouost of Lyncloudane 1485 Acta Conc. I *115/2. a1586 Maitland Geneal. Setoun 30.
He … foundit the colledg [of Seton] … and the personage betuixt the prouost and the prebendars c1630 Hope Minor Pract. (1726) 22.
Collegiate kirks, which consisted of a provost, and so many prebendars 1686 Mackenzie Observ. 177.
Where there was a colledge kirk, it was govern'd by a provost and prebends; … the old colledge of St. Andrews … is governed by a provost. A provost in our law is no prelat — 1576 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 375.
Anent … Mr. Robert Hamilton minister of Sanct Andrews and provost of the New Colledge thereof … which of the two offices provestrie or ministrie of Sanct Andrews he should retain and enjoyb. 1456 Hay I 110/13.
A kingis provost may have na mare power na has his maister Ib. 110/19.
And than be resoun, Sanct Petir that is his provost suld nocht excede his maister be resounc. 1456 Hay I 116/13.
For stryking of the provost of the ost, quhilk is callit the provost of the mareschaulis in France, and in Scotland the constable depute Ib. II 21/24.
Forthy dois a king … grete wrang … quhen he makis othir sereffis, baillies or provostis of othir lawlyar men na knychtis 1533 Bell. Livy II 69/27.
Minucius suld be create provost of the victalis(b) 1627 Kellie Pallas Armata 5a.
A prouoost, a clarke, and chirurgiand. 1454–5 Edinb. Chart. 79.
The prouost, baillieis, counsale and communite of the burgh of Edynburgh 1469 Acts II 94/2.
That the partij conplenȝeand … sall first cum to his juge ordinare of temperale landis as justice, schireff, stewart, bailȝe, barone, provost or bailȝis of burowis 1472 Edinb. Chart. 135.
Prouoste 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 204.
To his trewlie worthie … the Lord Provost of Aberdeen(b) 1508 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 137.
Prouoist(c) 1540 Elgin Rec. I 47.
Prowast William Gaderarpossess. 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X 301.
That pairt of the said Grayfreir yaird comonlie called the provosts alay 1684 Greyfriars Interments 3.
Alexander … wirgnermaker; prost alow [= alley] 1684 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 101.
The new muttone mercate … at the foot of the old provosts closs