A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1500-1530
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(Refe,) Reif, n.2 Also: reive; raif. [e.m.E. and ME irefe (c1175), reue (c1205), reve, e.m.E. also reeve, reave, OE geréfa, earlier girófa, of uncertain etym. Cf. Greve n.1] Only in references to John the Reeve, the hero of a poem of that name popular in Scotland in the 15th c.: A reeve. —1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1712.
I saw Raf Coilȝear … , Craibit Johne the Reif and auld Cowkewyis sow c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 124/33.
Kyne of Rauf Colȝard and Johnne the Reif [: mischeif] 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 560.
Dissagysit lyke Jhone the raif [Pitsc. reive] he raid
