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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Hope, Hoip, Houp, v. Also: hop; hoipe, hoyp; houpe, howp(e, howip. [ME. hope(n, -ie(n, OE. hopian, to hope.In ME … senses 1 and 2 are appar. northern and north midl.]

1. tr. To believe, suppose, think (something to be or have been the case). Const. with noun-clause and infin. with to.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 242.
He wist nocht of that barn, But hopyt wele it was forfarn ?1438 Alex. ii. 1995.
He hopit ane better bachlere … Was nocht in warld Ib. 2774.
Now mon we fecht … With Alexander, … As I hope a1500 Henr. Fab. 1777.
The samin birdis, ..I hoip because it wes thair hanting place, … Thay lychtit doun a1500 Rauf C. 780.
For to hald that I haue hecht, I hope it be the best 1562-3 Winȝet I. 49/7.
My tender freindis thair, quhais perpetuall kyndnes I hoipit that I had conquest 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix. 58.
As I hoip, mair haist wes neuer done a1661 Rutherford Lett. 204.
For I hope He hath a market-right to me, since He hath ransomed me 1690 Douglas Corr. 285.
Itt was a nightt bvriall. … and I hovp cannott be thovghtt deir, whan it coms only to a thovsand … povnd(2) 1567 Sat. P. iv. 79.
I houpit weill to haue na ennymie Into this realme 1570 Leslie 137.
Hectour ceased not to seik … to haif the barne restorit to him, quhilk wes hoipit to be for no guid

2. In regard to the future: To expect, anticipate, look for. Variously const.Not always clearly distinguishable from sense 3.(1) 1375 Barb. ii. 86.
Sekyrly I hop [that] Thomas prophecy Off Hersildoune sall weryfyd be In him a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 479.
Bruthyr, hopis thu thai wil me Vith thame tak to pase the se? ?1438 Alex. ii. 2720.
I hope that we Sall cum in tyme for to assay Our worshep 1573 Cath. Tr. 8/26.
Suay we may hoip that this prophecie of Sr. Johne Knox, sall cum to the same effect(2) ?1438 Alex. ii. 3742.
For all ȝour fere, I hope to se Ȝour great mannance faill halely Ib. 4839.
Throw him hopit thay weill to haue Thare lord 1545 Corr. M. Lorraine 136.
Be ther [ships] arrivyne we howpe till have our flotte of Bourdiaux 1596 Dalr. II. 125/23.
He ansuers that his thich bane is brokne, and he hopet neuer to gang agane(3) 1580 Inverness Rec. I. 279.
The said Laurence being awaitting on his fatheris barne … . hoippand na ewill bot to haiff leiffit vnder Godis peace, … the said Allister … sett vpon the said Laurence(4) 1571 Sat. P. xxvi. 113.
Quhat man did hoip of Grange now dois appeir: His cloikit craft of malice dois outspring 1596 Dalr. I. 289/15.
All man hoipet weil of him 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 297.
Quhat can be houpit of ane rude inexperienced multitud bot to be exposed to the … mercie of the enemye?

3. To expect with desire or desire with expectation.(1) 1567 G. Ball. 124.
I grant, I haif done wrang, Nocht hopeand help of thé 1581 Cath. Tr. 95/5.
Houping lyk fauour in my maist iust peticion(2) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 4/18.
Hoipand that thay sall ansueir with mair expeditioun … to the samyn a1568 Scott i. 9.
This guid new ȝeir. we hoip, … Salbe of peax a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xxvi. 29.
I hoip the tyme sall cum schortlie 1596 Dalr. II. 437/26.
The mater far vtherwyse succeidit efterward than tha hoiped [L. sperabant] 1615 Highland P. III. 207.
I reporte of yow to that gentleman that w[hi]lk I hoip sall wyne yow goode freindship 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 369.
I hoip also that the lords will not offend the guid towne(b) 1570 Reg. Morton I. 56.
Quhan we send aduertisment quhilk I howip sall not be lang to do a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xix. 33.
I houpe that thow sall ring Lang in this land c 1627 Douglas Corr. 250.
I houp his Lordschip sall mak a brangill to his advauntage 1661 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. 696/1.
I send you my blissing … which I houpe the Lord will blis wnto you(3) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2651.
Quhy thole ȝe thame to ryn frome toun to toun, In pylgramage, … Hopand to get thare sum saluatioun? 1562-3 Winȝet II. 5/25.
For twa causeis I hoip to be admittit ane of Godis airmie 1585 Gray Lett. & P. 55.
That the hole Guisartis hoppit shurly to see the King in France 1591-2 Rob Stene 20.
That celestiall seid, Quhilk … I howp richt sone to see incres(4) absol. a1585 Montg. Maitl. Q. lxxi. 25.
Houping aganis all houp

b. To expect (to do something one wishes to do), to mean, intend to.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlii. 56.
Thocht sayis, I hecht, com I ourthort, I houp to lows the presoneir a1605 Montg. Misc. P. liii. 12.
Brutus … Quha slew his fader howping to succeid Id. Ch. & Slae 279.
My hart … Ay houping, throu louping, To win to liberty 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 217.
Al this he hoipit to atteen too be dissolution of that vnhappie … mariage 1640 Aberdeen Council Lett. II. 256.
I have done my best … and houpes to do all as he desyres 1665 Lauderdale P. I. 211.
I houp … to sequr the cost ageanst the capieriers(2) 1650 Blairs P. 185.
I houp befor it be long I shall exprese myself mare fullie

4. intr. To look or hope for. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 85/14.
Thai graces figurat only and hoipit for in the Auld Testament a1578 Pitsc. I. 104/32.
Gif transgressouris … hoppit for nane wther thing of … princes handis 1593 Warrender P. MS. B. 355.
I … houpis for sum farder releif of your majestie 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 360.
No remeddie maybe houpit for against this evill c1650 Spalding I. 277.
The King far of, … not helping thir calameteis, as Abirdein hoipit for 1660 Laing MSS. I. 310.
If such a blissing be to be hoppid for

5. tr. and intr. To trust, have confidence. Const. in and to. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 138/18.
Hoiping in God to heir schortlie of ȝour conuersioun 1567 G. Ball. 124.
Sen I haif hopit in thy grace, Thow saue me from the hell 1570 Reg. Morton I. 59.
I hoyp to God that s[ch]ortly fryndis … may recompence ȝow a1605 Montg. Misc. P. li. 43.
I houp in the goddes Hemene 1628 Stirling Ant. IV. 120.
I hoip in God the bairne will speak belyve 1688 Red Bk. Grandtully I. cxlv.
I houpe in God to give you ane accountt of these rebelles