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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.

Gnaw, v. Also: gnau. P.t. gnew. P.p. gnawin, gnaw. [ME. gnaw(e, gnaȝe, OE. gnaᵹan. Cf. Knaw v.] intr. and tr. To gnaw.(a) 1375 Barb. xix. 663.
In-til the luge a fox he saw, That fast can on a salmond gnaw c1420 Wynt. v. 605.
The tad[e] begouth to wax, … Syne in hys body gnyp and gnaw a1500 Henr. Fab. 321.
I had leuer … gnaw benis and peis Than all ȝour feist a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 363.
Thou waid be fayn to gnaw … smoch banis behynd doggis bakkis 1513 Doug. iii. iv. 92.
With ȝour chaftis to gnaw ȝe salbe fane … ȝour tabillis al Ib. vii. ii. 21. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2149.
The bair … The tre to bite began and als to gnaw 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 45.
The said chamæleon wes ane of the reddiest to gnaw the bainis of the deed 1581 Sat. P. xli. 281.
For ȝour vage that ȝe may byt and gnau(b) a1568 Bann. MS. 136 b/18.
Thay gnew doun with thair gomes mony grit stane 1568 Inverness B. Rec. I. 159.
Hyr styrk com to his sled quhayr ane tartan of hys was and gnew and spylt his tartan 1591-2 Rob Stene 16.
To gett the merch sum gnew thair banis(c) c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxi. 58.
Latt nevir the soutteris haue my skin, With uglie gumes to be gnawin 1513 Doug. viii. v. 45.
The grisly portar of the hellys see, Lugyng in caif on ded banys half gnaw 1562-3 Winȝet II. 33/31.
Thir samin men quha wes revin and gnawin be him