A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
S(c)hrew, Schro, Shro(e, Schir(r)o, v. Also: schreu. [ME and e.m.E. schrowe (Manning), shrewe (Chaucer); S(c)hrew n.] tr. To curse. Chiefly I schrew, freq. with, or as with, reflexive object.Chiefly in imprecations.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2091.
‘Now,’ quod the foxe, ‘I schreu me and we meit’ Ib. 2176.
Be I begylit twyis, I schrew vs baith c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 116/52.
I schrew [B. schro] my scawpe 15.. Christis Kirk §23 (Laing MS).
A schrew me if I think it a1570-86 Maitl. F. 344/6.
Thus of my freind I mak ane fo: Schrew me and I mair do so 1604-31 Craig iii 14.
I shrew my heart and thou begyle me thrise(2) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1222.
I schrew [Ch., H. beschrew] thame ay that leis a1500 Quare Jel. 581.
Quho hath the worst I schrew him euirmore c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 99/36.
I schrew him giff I le 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 1156.
Ȝe do me wrang schir gled; I schrew ȝour harte 15.. Sym & Bruder 44.
I schrew thame that ay leis but lauchter(b) a1568 Jok & Jynny 15.
I schro thé lyar full leis me ȝow a1568 Bann. MS 134a/9.
Ȝe hurt me now schirro ȝour fais Ib. 134a/33.
I schro ȝour hairt Ib. 134b/54.
I schiro the feit that brocht ȝow hedder a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 772.
Shroe [1706 shro] the ghast that the house is the war of
