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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.

Fourt, num. a. Also: fourte, fowrt, fauirt, fowirth, fowerth. [ME. fourt(e, fowrt(e, fourth(e, fowerth, etc. f. Four num. In Sc. supplanting the earlier Ferd(e.]

1. attrib. The fourth in order.(a) c1515 Asl. MS. I. 305/11.
Ther is the fourt flude flowing fra Paradys callit Nylus 1533 Bell. Livy II. 65.
At the fourte vigill he rasit his baner 1558-66 Knox II. 214.
In the fourt classe shall be ane reidar of medicine 1595 Bamff Chart. 141.
The fourt rig and fyft fute quhilk the possessores of the forsadis laudis occupeit 1622-6 Bisset II. 134/14.
At the fourt and last capitall heid courte 1663 M. Works Acc. vii.
The fort day of Januar 1665 Grant Chart. 347.
Tuentie on bolls … at the fourt corn(b) 1570 Grant Chart. 141.
The fowrt day of Aprile 1573 Reg. Soltre 226.
The fowrt day of Marche(c) 1574 Misc. Spald. C. II. 41.
The fowirtt day of Aprill 1586 Gray Lett. & P. 76.
Vppon the ffowerth of May 1649 Stirlings of Keir 160.
Fowerth sonne of William Sterling of the Lawe

b. Added to the name of a king. 1535 Stewart 42102.
Henrie the fourt a1578 Pitsc. I. 280/12.
In king James the fourtis tyme 1626 Garden Worthies 27.
Charles the fourt 1641 Peebles B. Rec. 102.
King James the ffourt

2. a. Fourt part, a fourth part; spec. a forpit. 1523 Carnwath Barony Ct. 11.
Ane fowrt part & ane pek of meill 1555 Stirling Ant. IV. 219.
John Allan drew cavillis for his fourt pairt of a tenement of land 1584 Fam. Innes 142.
The fourt part of ane dawach of land 1600 Crim. Trials II. 104.
Twa oxgait of land … with the fourt pairt of the kill thairof 1629 Boyd Last B. 393.
The best men … are like a quarter moone, inlightened but in a fourt part 1668 Corshill Baron Ct. 84.
The baillie defalcatis ane fourt pairt of corne off the forsaid decreit 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 363.
A corne girnell … 2 fourth pairt disches

b. Fourt man, one out of each four men. 1639 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 161.
The letter direct from the nobilitie of the taibles … for sending the fourt man to the bound rod 1639 Peebles B. Rec. 375.
Ordaining that the fourtman … suld repair to him and his cullouris at Leyth this nicht

3. ellipt. The fourth day. 1581 Lanark B. Rec. 80.
The fort of Iulij c 1586 Maxwell Mem. II. 159.
The fauirt of Iulii 1596 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 12.
The fourt of Fabrowair

4. pl. In the fourth degree (of kinship). 1617 Crim. Trials III. 422.
Mr. Alexander Coluile can nocht be judge in this cause, in respect he is fourtis of kyn to the Couutes of Errole 1618 Elgin Rec. I. 235.
It was objectit aganis William Torrie that he stood within feird and fourtis of kin to the persewair