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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Except, Excep, p.p., prep., and conj. Also: excepte, exept; eccep, excepe, -ceip, -ceyp, -sayp. [ME. excepte (late 14th c.), L. exceptus, p.p. of excipere, Except v.¹]

A. p.p. Excepted, not included or reckoned. 1431 Liber Melros 523.
All thingis that was debatable … was fullely endit, twa thingis alanerly excepte 1476 Thanes of Cawdor 60.
Oure souerene lorde the Kyng excepe 1513 Reg. Privy S. I. 376/1.
To resaiff in dittay, arrest [etc.], ony utheris our liegis, except befor except, for the said slauchter 1533 Boece iii. ix. 104.
We … ar destitute of all amyte & supple, ȝow and Pichtis onlie except 1564 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 183.
That all the porttis of this toun be closit day and nycht, the West Port and Nethir Bow except a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) 2.
All things hath a beginning (God excepte)

B. prep. 1. With the exception of; save, but.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 272 (A).
A lordis fair thus can thai counterfeit, Except a thing 1494 Acta Conc. 330/1.
All charteris, sesingis, and evidentis … all except a lettre of tak maid … to the said Katrine c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 106.
Glemen thair wer haldin owt, … Except a menstrall that slew a man c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1797.
He.did thame none vther harmis Except of toungis diuysioun 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 46.
The parliament set to forfalt sic lordis … except the duke(b) c1475 Wall. v. 1026.
Thai entryt in, befor thaim fand no ma, excep wemen 1490 Irland Mir. I. 59/35.
Thar was neuir king … that had dominacioune oure all thire excepe Ihesu, for all was in his powere excepe a tre 1509 Rec. Earld. Orkney 83.
That he … sowd browk … the said grownd and fredum … exseyp aleneyrlie thre meills cost 1522 Melville Chart. 62.
I salbe reidy … to tak the saidis Schir Ihonnis part agane all wderis … exceip the Kyngis graice 1556 Inverness B. Rec. I. 3.
Nocht to … gyf fredome of burgesrie … to oney manyr of person excep allanerlie ane burges son 1596 Dalr. I. 275/1.
Sua sal ȝe find na place, excep Laudien and Anandale, that now thayr alde names reteynes 1660 Melrose R. Rec. I. 298.
The persewar never received any of the said scheep excep on wether

b. ellipt. Except for. 1492 Myll Spect. 287/27.
It is mervell except the grace of God & [= if] he part hym thairfra

2. Leaving out of account; in addition to, besides. 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 67.
To Ireland … to his reward except his costis ordinare, xij li. c 1489 Liber Aberbr. 263.
Quhilk [mele] extendis in the yeir to xl chalder except bowmenis feis and pensionis 1503 Reg. Cupar A. I. 259.
The said Jhone … sal wyrk quhen he is chargit, except quhelis, baytht ennow and vtow 1533 Bell. Livy I. 245/4.
The romane citezanis being nowmerit in this wise come to ane hundreth xxiiij^m … persouns, except pupillis and wedois 1596 Dalr. I. 335/1.
Except mony vertuous men … Scotland had tua notable and wondirfull

C. conj. With this exception; unless. 1482 Thanes of Cawdor 65.
That the first band of frendschipe … be kepit, … except at quhar in the first band it is contenit that [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxiv. 5.
Richest in bontie, … Except onlie that ȝe ar mercyles 1533 Gau 105/14.
The quhilk ȝe cane notht perfitlie onderstand excep ȝe onderstand the law 1562-3 Winȝet I. 10/8.
Except ȝe be willingly blind, ȝe may persaue [etc.] 1589 Bk. Old Edinb. C. VI. 63.
That na prenteice be buikit … excep he pay xx s. for his buiken