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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

As, adv. and conj. Also: ays, has, es, is. [Reduced form of Als. Also in ME. from 13th c.]

1. Introducing explanatory or confirmatory clauses, e.g. as sal be said.Freq. in phrases, as accordis, as afferis or efferis, as becumis, as law will, as the use is, as said is: for further illustration see these words.1375 Barb. i. 525 (as Dares wrate). 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 410/1 (as the law askys); 1398 Acts I. 574 (as is befor sayd). 1456 Hay I. 78/3 (as said is). c1450-2 Howlat 146 (as efferis). a1500 Rauf C. 46 (as I weill wait). 1482 Acta Conc. II. cxxvii (as law will). 1549 Compl. 15 (as Plutarque rehersis). 1550 Reg. Cupar A. II. 67 (as is allegit). 1555 Conv. Burghs I. 12 (as becumis). a1585 Maitland M. Q. xvi. 56 (as may be sein). 1600 Dunblane Test. 25 b (as accordis of the law).

b. With temporal force: When, while.a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 545 (as he com in that land). c1420 Wynt. ii. 1621 (as Eneas slepand lay). c1475 Wall. iv. 223 (as it was mydnycht). c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlvi. 1 (as Aurora did vpspring).

c. With complementary clause. 1375 Barb. xi. 568.
And as he bad thame, thai haf done a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 127.
As he did, sa sulde thai do Ib. xxvi. 301.
Has he bad, sa haf thai done c1450 Cr. Deyng 252.
As he forgewys, he sall be forgewyne a1500 Henr. III. 159.
As we ly thus, so sall ȝe ly ilk ane

2. Before nouns: In the manner of, like.1375 Barb. ii. 493 (as wtelauys). a1400 Leg. S. xvii. 339 (as a quhyt dow). a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 770 (wraith as the wynd). c1500-c1512 Dunb. iii. 29 (as new spynist rose). a1578 Pitsc. I. 266 (as ane man wnconsalable). a1570-86 Maitland M. Fol. xcviii. 14 (as ȝour mortall fa).

b. In phrases all as ane, ane as bathe, etc. 1387 Edinb. Chart. 35.
The forsaidys … , al as ane, and ane as all 1456 Peebles B. Rec. 114.
The sayd Dic Gybsoun and Jonet hys wyf, an has bath and bath has an, has ressygnit [etc.] 1550 Coll. Aberd. & B. 182.
We … renuncis … the saidis letteris … now as than and than as now

3. a. As if.a1400 Leg. S. vi. 660; ix. 14 (as he a pilgrime ware). a1500 Henr. Fab. 2243 (as he wer king). 1490 Acta Aud. 142/1 (as this compromes haid neuer bene maid). 1531 Bell. Boece I. 63 (as he wald have brocht, etc.). a1570-86 Maitland M. Fol. xviii. 13 (as na man war that carit).

b. As that. a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 2.
The Queyne … was so heighlie commovit … as she tuik na repose

c. How. 1571 Sat. P. xxvi. 69.
Sen ȝe se as it standis 1583 Ib. xlv. 918.
Considering as he sett him furth

4. As of, as to, as regards, in respect or consideration of. Also without prep.See also Now, Quhare, Than, Ȝit.(1) 1375 Barb. v. 493.
A man of mekill mycht, As of the men of that cuntre c1475 Wall. i. 249.
He … span full conandly, As of his tym Ib. iv. 204.
As off rychess he held na propyrte 1491 Acta Aud. 159/1.
Johne of Wemis deit last … sesit of the saidis landis as of fee 1476 Ayr Friars Pr. Chart. 55.
To kepe the priour … Skaithles … as of closyne of it(2) 1456 Hay II. 116.
Playntis … as to merchandis c1475 Wall. vii. 401.
He is no lord as to the worthines(3) c1420 Wynt. iv. 660.
Darius … echapyd as that day c1475 Wall. i. 313.
As this tid … with him he wald nocht bide

5. Answering to als, as, like, sa, swilk.See also these words, and Far, Sone, Wele advs. 1375 Barb. ix. 401.
A knycht, sa richt vorthy As this is 1386 Rotuli Sc. II. 85/2.
As far forth as thay trespasse Ib.
As sone as it may be 1439 Edinb. Chart. 65.
Payand yerly til vs … swylk like annuales as thai dede to … Schir Robert a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 161.
As ane speir als lang c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 59.
Als fresch as flouris 1513 Doug. ix. viii. 133.
Sa lang as thai sammyn … war 1549 Compl. 14/2.
I sau neuyr sa grite ane fule … as is thy philosophour a1605 Birrel Diary 42.
He being as abill a lyke man as wes living

b. Such as; which, that. 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 326/1.
Except beneficis as ar at the gift of Sanctandris 1567 Sat. P. vi. 70.
He … vsit meanis as God did not allow

6. Than. 1549 Compl. 71/11.
Ther can nocht be ane mair vehement perplexite as quhen [etc.] 1581 Burne Disput. 19.
My truble … is hauiar as the sand of the sea 1596 Dalr. I. 209/28.
Nocht ȝounger as xviii ȝeiris … nor elder as xxx 1650 Kirkcaldy Presb. 371.
Lyklier … to dye as lyve