A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1560
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Quert, Quart, adj. and n. Also: querte. [ME and e.m.E. quert n. and adj. (Cursor M.), whart (c1450), quart (1522), ON *kwert, neut. of *kwerr, quiet, still (Icel. kyrr, ONorw. kvirr, Dan. qvær, Sw. qvar).Cf. later Sc. dial. Querty = active, in good spirits (SND).]
1. adj. Alive and well; in good health or condition; sound.a1400 Legends of the Saints x 574.
& nane be suer to conuert Na lef his syne, til he his [= is] quert c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 3962.
And I may haue my memberis hale and quart [: hert] c1460 Ib. MS 11029.
He tuke him to deserte He was woundit oure king was hale and quart
2. noun. The state of being alive and well; (good) health.Only in the phrases in, also into, (hele and (in)) quert, also (once) with hele and quert.(1) a1500 Henr. III 99/87.
And evir quhill scho wes in quert [: harte] That was hir a lessoun a1500 Golagros and Gawane 586.
I cover neuer in quert a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1279.
The king stude all in quert Fra he had bannist the instewart 1450-1510 Gray MS iv 87.
All thocht thou be to day in quart [: art, hart, smert] To morne I cann cum put thé downe(2) 1424 Cambuskenneth Let. to Jas. I.
We bidis ay in gude hope ȝour hame come in hele and in querte 1535 Stewart 18297.
Quhill tha micht stand into gude heill and quart … ilk ane tak vtheris part 1535 Ib. 51617.
Quhill erle Thomas wes in prosperitie, In heill and quart at all his tyme 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 8423.
The chylde culd swym, and sa chancit to land With heill and quert
