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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Reconfort, v. Also: recoun- and -forte, -fourt. P.t. and p.p. also -fort, -fourt. [ME and e.m.E. reconfort(e (Chaucer), F. reconforter (11th c.). Cf. Confort v., Comfort v., also Recomfort v.]

1. tr. To strengthen or inspire with new courage; to put new heart into.pres. 1375 Barb. ix 97.
He … To perellis him abaw[n]donys ay For to reconfort [E. recomfort] his menȝe 1456 Hay I 300/1.
He [sc. a king] suld lufe wele his folk, and cheris thame … and reconfourt thame Ib. II 121/19.
The delyte of thi hert reconfourtis thy nature Id. Alex. (S.T.S.) 1197.
Sturdie men … Was ordand … For to supple the wingis … And gif the vangard hapnit weill to speid Reconfort thame 1494 Loutfut MS 37b.
He … wes … of noble blud reconfortant folkis in necessite c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 63/117.
Me to reconfort most it dois availl … To think how song this merlep.t. c1400 Troy-bk. i 332.
He … with suete wordys hambly Reconfortit thame rytht hertlyp.p. 1456 Hay I 61/14.
And quhen he had reconfourt his menȝe [etc.] Id. Alex. (S.T.S.) 3682.
Recounfort 1494 Loutfut MS 51a.
The angellis has reconfortit mony … sanctis in thar misterdome

b. To comfort or console in distress. 1456 Hay I 14/35.
Crist forȝett him nocht, but visyte him oft tymes and reconfort him Ib. 29/26.
Efter the dede of Pape Gregore, thai reconfortit the cardinalis with suete and faire wordis 1494 Loutfut MS 51a.
Quhen He sufferit deid and passioun and thai [sc. the angels] reconfort Him c1590 Fowler I 89/95.
She That oftentymes my wofull hart reconforted

c. reflex. To take heart. 1456 Hay II 55/10.
Dere brethir, reconfourt ȝow, and makis gude chere Id. Alex. (S.T.S.) 1831.

2. To strengthen or invigorate physically; to renew or refresh. c1400 Troy-bk. i 270.
Quhen … fresche and wele flowand flud Reconfortis all grene growand gud 1456 Hay II 119/9.
Gif he be calde, geve him metis that reconfourtis and hetis him

3. ? To reconcile. a1400 Leg. S. xxxiv 191.
That thu me penytent wald take & to Jhesu reconforte me